India’s Koneru Humpy won the FIDE Women’s World Rapid Champion. (FIDE)
Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy pulled off a sensational turnaround in New York to be crowned FIDE Women’s World Rapid Champion, clinching her second title in this tournament. Humpy, who began the tournament with a loss, bounced back on Day 2 and eventually rose to the top on Day 3 from a crowded field at the top of the standings.
2024 has already been a sensational year in chess for India and Humpy added to the list of achievements by being crowned the World Rapid Champion in New York. She had previously won the title in 2019.
👏 Congratulations to 🇮🇳 Humpy Koneru, the 2024 FIDE Women’s World Rapid Champion! 🏆#RapidBlitz #WomenInChess pic.twitter.com/CCg3nrtZAV
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 28, 2024
“I’m very happy and excited because this is my second world Rapid title. I also won in 2019,” Humpy said on FIDE’s live feed after her triumph. “In my career, whenever I’m on the lower side, thinking I’m dropping off, some miracle happens, and I come back. That gives me the motivation to compete further.”
Humpy, who won her title in 2019 after returning from a maternity break, thanked her family for the support. “It’s probably too late in India for people to be up, but my family will watch this. I want to thank my parents for their tremendous support and my husband. It’s not easy to be a professional in India after having a marriage and a kid. But he supported me a lot, and my parents took care of my daughter when I traveled. All these things helped me achieve this,” she said.
Before the final round, seven different players were tied for the top spot: China’s Ju Wenjun and Tan Zhongyi, India’s Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli, Russian GM Kateryna Lagno, Uzbekistan’s Afruza Khamdamova and Indonesia’s Irine Kharisma Sukandar.
In Round 11, Humpy was paired to take on Irine and with black pieces, the Indian managed to put the Indonesian under pressure and prevailed in sensational style on what seemed to be a drawn end-game. Wenjun ended up drawing her match against Bibisara Assaubayeva. Harika and Tan, both in contention for the title, also drew their match. In another clash of contenders Khamdamova and Lagno also played out a draw. These combination of results gave Humpy the outright win when tiebreakers loomed to decide the champion.
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