Koneru Humpy Slammed For Withdrawing from Candidates Amid War

Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy, on March 23, withdrew from the upcoming FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament in Cyprus to prioritise her personal safety amid the war in West Asia. The tournament is going to start on March 28 in Pegeia, Cyprus. While organisers reportedly assured players of security arrangements, Humpy said on X that she did not “feel truly secure under the current circumstances.” Ukraine’s Anna Muzychuk has taken the Indian player’s spot.

Humpy is facing criticism from Cyprus officials for allegedly “spreading unfounded concerns.” The decision has not just impacted the tournament but sparked a debate about the safety of athletes in uncertain global conditions.

Chess Fraternity Response

Cyprus Chess Federation chief Criton Tornaritis has criticised Koneru Humpy for her last-minute withdrawal from the Candidates. In a post on X, he wrote, “This is simply wrong. Spreading unfounded concerns harms the sport and shows a lack of respect for the organisers and the players involved.”

Meanwhile, FIDE addressed similar safety concerns raised by another prominent Candidates competitor, Hikaru Nakamura. “Cyprus is a safe country to travel. There is no emergency situation, and the country continues to operate normally. All necessary measures are in place to ensure a secure, comfortable, and well-organised environment for all participants, media, and guests.”

The federation reiterated that the situation in Cyprus does not justify relocating the event and added that safety protocols are in place to handle “extreme scenarios.” The statement read, “The venue is located in the western part of Cyprus, away from sensitive or strategic military locations. It is not situated along any routes related to the Middle East crisis.”

Next Steps, India At Candidates

As per the rules and regulations of FIDE, a player may face a fine of up to €10,000 if they quit without a sound reason. However, the final decision in this case lies with the FIDE Council. It remains to be seen whether Humpy’s safety concerns will be considered sufficient justification to avoid such penalties.

Koneru Humpy’s withdrawal from the tournament is a major setback for India, as she is one of the leading contestants from the country. She secured her spot in the Candidates as a top finisher in the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025. Other talented players from India, such as R Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh, will continue to represent the country at the Women’s Candidates Tournament.