CHESS | Humpy re-considering Candidates trip due to West Asia conflict

India’s top player Koneru Humpy is considering not travelling to Cyprus to participate in the upcoming FIDE Women’s Candidates tournament, due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Humpy and two other Indians — R. Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh — have qualified for the eight-player Candidates tournament with the winner getting the right to challenge the reigning World champion Ju Wenjun.

“Chess-wise preparation is going well. I’m supposed to leave for Cyrpus on March 26…bit unsure due to the West Asia war,” she told The Hindu.

She said she hopes to take a call on her participation in the prestigious tournament “mostly by next Monday.”

The 38-year-old player said she had expressed her apprehensions to the global chess body (FIDE) but it seemed to be going ahead with the event.

“No change in the schedule as it (FIDE) feels it is safe,” she added.

Humpy said she is aware that she would miss a huge opportunity if she chooses not to travel to Cyprus but feels “life is bigger than sport.”

“Of course, I will miss the chance… but definitely not a pleasant situation to play…”

The two-time World Rapid champion said her family also felt safety was the priority and would support any decision she takes.