GM Koneru Humpy. Basil Sylvester Pinto
PANAJI
GM Koneru Humpy was in Goa as a special guest for the ongoing FIDE World Cup at Resort Rio, Arpora on Saturday. The much-celebrated Indian women’s chess player made her presence felt with the ceremonial first move on Board 3 for Daniil Dubov, the 2018 World Rapid Champion.
On the sidelines of the high-profile single-elimination chess tournament, she had an interactive session with the media. The 11th edition of the FIDE World Cup incidentally witnessed a lone woman player, GM Divya Deshmukh (India) as a wild card entry in the 206-strong field competition. Speaking on the importance of women players getting invitations for or taking part in Open tournaments, the runner-up at the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 asserted, “I have always mentioned that young girls need to participate in the men’s circuit, so that they can gain the exposure and the opportunity to improve on their ratings and to learn more skills from the strongest players.” Citing her own example, she disclosed “I have myself done the same thing when I was a youngster. I used to play a lot of open tournaments and also in the men’s national championships. I took part in the age group national championship as well as in the boys’ section.”
Speaking further, the world number 6 in women’s classical chess stated, “Today, people are well aware that women need to take part in the Open events so that they could get the exposure. The present generation are smart enough that they utilise the opportunities whenever they get and I have been following many of them taking part in the Open events and are improving their middle and end games as well.”
On being present at the FIDE World Cup 2025 on Saturday, the seasoned grandmaster expressed happiness. “I am very glad to be here because I haven’t played in any tournament after the Women’s World Cup. Today, after three months I get an opportunity to do the ceremonial first move at the FIDE World Cup and I would like to thank the AICF and FIDE for inviting me. Two Indians are playing, Arjun Erigaisi and Pentala Harikrishna and I really wish they go much further and I am rooting for them,” Humpy gushed.
Speaking of her return to competitive chess with the Global Chess League (GCL) from December 13-24 in Mumbai, the 38-year-old GM from Andhra expressed keenness to get back into action. “GCL is one of those events every player would love to play. It always has different formats and different kind of energy. Last year, they created a new time control without increment and it had a lot of impact on the results. Every year they have been innovative. This year, we have a very strong team with Pentala Harikrishna as our captain for the Mumba Masters. I am sure we will give our best in the coming season.”
Coming to the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships to be held In Doha towards year-end, the reigning two-time Women’s World Rapid Chess Champion, admitted she is just looking forward to enjoy the event. “I am not really thinking of the title. I just want to enjoy the format and play my best. I believe that rather in chasing the title it is more important to give your best. I am not that kind of player to keep a target at the start of the tournament.”
Humpy, who played her first World Cup at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad in 2002, felt that the enthusiasm with crowds for chess will give the right incentive towards the growth of chess in Goa with the ongoing FIDE World Cup. “It is one such event that people will get attracted and get passionate to learn the sport. I think the venue is one of the best choices. We see players growing up from the southern part of India. Tamil Nadu is a hub for chess in India; we have grandmasters in Andhra and many players from Maharashtra. Goa is a place where we have seen very few players coming up in the national and international levels. I think this region will be having a great opportunity to witness these top players so that they can come up in this sport as professionals.”
