New Delhi: Indian chess Grandmaster Koneru Humpy on Sunday announced that she will not take part in the upcoming FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament.
She said the ongoing conflict in West Asia had forced her to make the decision.
The tournament is scheduled to take place in Cyprus from March 28 to April 16.
In a post on X, Humpy said: “After deep reflection, I have taken 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.”
In line with Article 2.2 of the Tournament Regulations, the Indian grandmaster’s spot has been offered to the next highest finisher in the Women’s Events Series 2024–25 who had not already qualified. Accordingly, Anna Muzychuk will take her place in the tournament, the International Chess Federation said.
