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GM Koneru Humpy Withdraws from Chess Candidates Over Security Fears

Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy has withdrawn from the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament, citing personal safety concerns due to rising West Asia tensions. The tournament is set to be held in Cyprus, which has experienced recent security incidents linked to the broader regional conflict. As per FIDE rules, Ukraine's Anna Muzychuk will take Humpy's place in the event, which determines the challenger for the women's world championship. Separately, American GM Hikaru Nakamura has voiced concerns about infrastructure issues in Cyprus ahead of the men's Candidates event.

Key Points: Humpy Withdraws from Chess Candidates Over Iran-Israel War Security

  • Security fears force withdrawal
  • Cyprus venue faces regional tensions
  • Anna Muzychuk to replace Humpy
  • Nakamura raises Cyprus power outage concerns
  • Tournament to decide world title challenger
2 min read

'I do not feel fully secure': GM Koneru Humpy withdraws from FIDE Women's Candidates due to Iran-Israel war

Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy withdraws from FIDE Women's Candidates in Cyprus, citing security fears amid Iran-Israel tensions. Anna Muzychuk replaces her.

"Despite the assurances provided, I do not feel fully secure under the current circumstances. - Koneru Humpy"

New Delhi, March 22

Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy has withdrawn from the upcoming FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament due to security concerns amid rising tensions in West Asia.

Humpy shared her decision in a social media statement on Sunday, emphasizing that personal safety is more important than competitive commitments. "After deep reflection, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament. No event, no matter how important, can come before personal safety and well-being. Despite the assurances provided, I do not feel fully secure under the current circumstances. This is a painful but necessary decision, and I stand by it," she wrote on X.

The tournament will take place in Cyprus, which has recently faced increased security issues. Earlier this month, a British air base on the island was hit in a drone attack. This incident raised concerns about the impact of the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has been fueled by US and Israeli strikes on Iran, spreading into the region.

According to FIDE regulations, if there is a vacancy in the Women's Candidates field, the next eligible player from the FIDE Women's Events 2024-25 cycle will fill it. Based on this rule, Ukraine's Anna Muzychuk will replace Humpy in the tournament.

The Women's Candidates, starting March 28 in Paphos, will determine the challenger for the world championship title currently held by China's Ju Wenjun. Meanwhile, the men's title is held by India's D Gukesh.

Earlier, American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura has expressed serious concerns about the playing conditions in Cyprus before the 2026 Candidates Tournament, which starts in just a week.

Currently ranked World No. 2, Nakamura has reportedly been in Cyprus for nearly two months as part of his pre-tournament preparations. However, he has highlighted ongoing and lengthy power outages on the island as a troubling issue leading up to one of chess's most prestigious events.

"It's not a good sign when power goes out completely in parts of Cyprus and doesn't come back for an extended period of time," Nakamura posted on his social media account on X.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Very sad news for Indian chess. We were all hoping to see her compete for the world championship spot. FIDE should have considered moving the venue when tensions started rising. Now Anna Muzychuk gets a spot without playing a qualifier? The rules seem unfair.
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Aman W
Smart move by Humpy. If even Nakamura is complaining about power outages, imagine the stress during a high-stakes game. Chess requires 100% concentration. How can you think 10 moves ahead if you're worried about drones or the lights going out? FIDE needs better planning.
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Sarah B
As an expat living in Dubai, I follow the regional news closely. Cyprus is too close to the conflict zone. The drone attack on the British base was a major red flag. Humpy is absolutely right to prioritize her security. It's not worth the gamble.
V
Vikram M
Respect her choice, but feels like a missed opportunity. Indian athletes have competed in tense situations before. The government could have provided extra security. Now the spotlight is on Gukesh to bring the men's title home! 🇮🇳
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Kavya N
This is so disappointing. She worked so hard to qualify. The real losers are the fans. Hope FIDE learns from this and chooses neutral, stable venues for future candidates tournaments. The players deserve a safe and fair environment to play their best chess.

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