Koneru Humpy’s triumph at the Women’s World Rapid Chess Championship in New York on December 29, 2024, is a monumental achievement in her career. At the age of 37, she clinched her second World Rapid title, having already won the championship in 2019.
What makes this victory even more special is that Humpy was seeded 10th and wasn’t considered one of the favourites, with some of her opponents being half her age. However, she proved all the doubters wrong, demonstrating both resilience and brilliance.
Speaking over the phone from 13,000 km away, Humpy’s excitement was palpable, a rare display of emotion from a player who usually keeps her composure, even in the face of great success. “This title means a lot to me,” Humpy shared, her voice reflecting the magnitude of the achievement.
She recalled how she had started the tournament with a loss to Kazakhstan’s Amina Kairbekova, a defeat that hit her particularly hard as she lost on time. “I was very disappointed that day and couldn’t stop thinking about it,” she said.
Despite this setback, Humpy remained focused on her goal. “My target has always been the first prize, and the second and third places don’t matter to me much,” she added.
Humpy’s preparation for the tournament had been unconventional, as she trained largely on her own, playing numerous online games to sharpen her speed. Her aim for the second day of the tournament was to win three out of four games, but she exceeded her expectations by winning all four.
By the final day, she was in joint first place, and in the final round, she moved ahead of the pack after defeating Indonesia’s Irene Sukandar. Humpy described the game against Sukandar as one that “was heading towards a draw, but she blundered,” allowing Humpy to clinch the title.
Her win this year was particularly sweet after a disappointing tie-breaker loss to Anastasia Bodnaruk of Russia the previous year. Humpy had been playing well in that tournament, and she admitted she was disappointed to lose in the tie-breaks.
However, this year, she found redemption and made a remarkable comeback, earning the coveted World Rapid title once again.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was quick to congratulate Humpy on her victory, calling it a “historic” achievement. He praised her for inspiring millions and for continuing to make India proud on the global chess stage.
Modi’s words were a testament to the impact of Humpy’s success, not only in the chess community but also in the larger sporting landscape of India. Humpy’s resilience and determination serve as an inspiration to many aspiring chess players, especially those who might feel discouraged by age or early setbacks.
Nitin Narang, President of the All India Chess Federation, also extended his congratulations to Humpy, calling her victory in the World Rapid Championship incredible.
On social media, Narang acknowledged her efforts and wished her and other Indian players the best for the upcoming World Blitz Chess Championship. He also took the opportunity to thank Prime Minister Modi for his encouraging words, which he believed would energise the chess community in India to continue breaking records on the world stage.
As Humpy prepares for the World Blitz Championship, which is set to begin soon, her victory in the Rapid event has already made a significant mark in the chess world. At 37, she has proven that age is no barrier to success and that with determination, focus, and hard work, one can achieve greatness at any stage of life.
Follow us
