Koneru Humpy Considers Withdrawing from FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament Amid Safety Concerns in Cyprus
Koneru Humpy Considers Withdrawing from FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament Amid Safety Concerns
Paphos, Cyprus — In a startling development, renowned chess player GM Koneru Humpy has expressed serious doubts about her participation in the upcoming FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament, scheduled to take place in Paphos, Cyprus, from March 29 to April 16. The fifth-ranked player in the world cited escalating safety concerns stemming from recent military tensions in the Middle East as her primary reason for considering withdrawal.
“I’ve been following the news closely and speaking to family and friends. I don’t think it makes sense to risk yourself to play one tournament,” the 38-year-old Indian grandmaster told Hindustan Times. Her comments come in the wake of military strikes by the U.S. and Israel on Iran, which have heightened fears across the Eastern Mediterranean, including Cyprus.
Earlier this month, a suspected Iranian drone attack targeted a UK military base on Cyprus’ southern coast, causing minor damage but no casualties. The U.S. Department of State has since issued a Level 3 Travel Advisory, urging travelers to “reconsider travel” to Cyprus due to the ongoing tensions. This advisory has already led to the U.S. Chess Federation canceling its participation in the 2026 Pan-American Youth Championship in Colombia.
Koneru’s concerns are echoed by other players, including GM Zhu Jiner, the women’s world number two, who noted that while she feels safe in Cyprus, the proximity to the Middle East and recent military developments are troubling. “My main concern is more about travel,” Zhu stated, highlighting the risks associated with flying to and from the region.
Despite the rising apprehensions, FIDE has confirmed that the tournament will proceed as planned. FIDE CEO GM Emil Sutovsky acknowledged the potential risks but emphasized that the organization has not identified any immediate threats that would warrant relocating the event. “We are in close contact with the authorities in Cyprus,” he said, assuring players that safety measures are being prioritized.
In light of the situation, alternative proposals have emerged. Wadim Rosenstein, chairman of the WR Group, has offered to host the Candidates Tournament in Germany if necessary, stating, “Our priority is clear: to protect the players and ensure that the tournament can take place under the best possible conditions.”
Koneru, who remains the only participant to publicly voice safety concerns, has changed her flight route to avoid potential risks, opting for a connection in Frankfurt instead of Doha. “At the end of the day, life is bigger than sport,” she remarked, underscoring her commitment to safety over competition.
As the tournament date approaches, the chess community watches closely, awaiting a final decision from Koneru. Should she withdraw, GM Anna Muzychuk would step in as the next highest-ranked player not already qualified for the event.
With the stakes high and tensions mounting, the chess world is left to ponder the implications of safety on competitive sports in volatile regions.