New Delhi: Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy has withdrawn from the upcoming FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament, citing safety concerns linked to regional tensions near the host nation Cyprus.
The development comes as a significant setback for India’s medal hopes in the prestigious event.
The tournament is scheduled to take place from March 28 to April 16 in the coastal city of Paphos.
The tournament will determine the challenger for the women’s world championship title currently held by Ju Wenjun. It also forms part of the broader Candidates cycle that feeds into the global championship structure, including the open title held by D Gukesh.
Following Humpy’s withdrawal, FIDE confirmed that Ukraine’s Anna Muzychuk will take her place. The invitation was extended as per tournament regulations to the next highest finisher in the Women’s Events Series who had not already qualified.
Humpy, a two-time Women’s World Rapid Champion, said personal safety weighed heavily in her decision. She explained that despite assurances from organisers, she did not feel fully secure amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and recent security incidents in the region. “No event, no matter how important, can come before personal safety and well-being,” she stated.
Her withdrawal could also carry financial implications, with reports suggesting she may face a fine under tournament rules, although FIDE has yet to announce any decision on that front.
Interestingly, Humpy is not the only top player to raise concerns. American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura also pointed to infrastructure issues such as prolonged power outages in parts of Cyprus, adding to apprehensions around the event.
India will still have strong representation at the tournament, with the sibling duo of R Praggnanandhaa and R Vaishali, along with rising star Divya Deshmukh, set to compete.
Humpy’s absence, however, leaves a notable void. As one of the most experienced and consistent performers on the women’s circuit, she was widely viewed as a serious contender for a shot at the world championship.
Source: TOI Sports
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