Koneru Humpy Considers Withdrawing from FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament Amid Rising Safety Concerns in Cyprus

Indian Chess Star Koneru Humpy Contemplates Withdrawal from FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament Amid Rising Tensions

Cyprus – Indian chess prodigy Koneru Humpy is weighing the possibility of withdrawing from the upcoming FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament, scheduled to take place in Cyprus, citing safety concerns stemming from escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The tournament, which was confirmed in November 2022, has come under scrutiny following military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, which began on February 28. These developments have heightened anxieties across the region, impacting not only security but also vital oil supply routes. A recent drone strike on a British air base in Cyprus on March 1 has further intensified worries about safety, leading to increased military presence, including European warships and Turkish fighter jets, around the island.

Humpy, who is one of three Indian players set to compete alongside Divya Deshmukh and R Vaishali, expressed her apprehensions in an exclusive interview with the Hindustan Times. “It just does not make any sense. It is dangerous to travel anywhere near West Asia at this point when there is so much tension and uncertainty,” she stated. With the tournament just under two weeks away, she emphasized the urgency of the situation, adding, “The war started around a fortnight ago, and it is still ongoing.”

The chess star also criticized the organizers’ decision to proceed with the tournament in Cyprus, questioning the rationale behind hosting such a significant event under the current circumstances. “From an organizational point of view, it is just not the right call. It is one of the most crucial tournaments, and you have just 16 top players (combining Open and Women) to think of. Why not look at alternatives and different dates?” she asked.

Despite Humpy’s concerns, the international chess governing body, FIDE, remains committed to the tournament’s schedule. FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky reassured participants that preparations are ongoing, stating, “Our plans haven’t changed. We are in the final stages of preparing the Candidates’ Tournament. Of course, we are monitoring the situation. Cyprus isn’t too far from, let us say, the war zone or conflict zone, but at the same time, it’s not involved in any way and isn’t in a state of war.”

Sutovsky acknowledged the recent troubling news but noted that the situation has since calmed. “There is no emergency or anything like that,” he added, attempting to alleviate concerns among players and fans alike.

As the chess community watches closely, Humpy’s potential withdrawal raises critical questions about the intersection of sports and safety in times of geopolitical unrest. With the tournament date fast approaching, the chess world awaits further developments on this pressing issue.