Exclusive | Koneru Humpy opens up on decision to withdraw from Candidates 2026: 'External uncertainties can make it...'

Veteran Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy was set for a third consecutive appearance at the Women’s Candidates Tournament after finishing runner-up at the FIDE Women’s World Cup in Georgia last year. A dramatic turn of events, however, has forced her to skip the prestigious tournament, which takes place at Cap St Georges Hotel and Resort in Pegeia, Cyprus starting Saturday, 28 March.

Humpy, after all, had expressed concern over USA and Israel's ongoing conflict with Iran in the Middle East. Though Cyprus is located in the Mediterranean Sea, its proximity to the Levant region in West Asia makes it a potential target. And what worsened security concerns over the upcoming tournament was a British military base in the island nation getting targeted in a suspected Iranian drone attack earlier this month.

After initially expressing concern over traveling to Cyprus, Humpy confirmed her withdrawal from the 2026 Candidates on Sunday, 22 March, stating that she did not feel “fully secure” despite the assurances provided by FIDE, the Switzerland-based governing body for the sport.

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‘Certainly not an easy decision’

In an exclusive conversation with Firstpost, Humpy revealed that it wasn’t an easy decision for her, and that she would have had a hard time focusing on the tournament and playing peacefully anyway. She also revealed that a war-like situation can have quite the mental impact on players, especially when playing at the highest level of the sport.

“It was certainly not an easy decision. The Candidates is one of the most important events in a player’s career, and walking away from it involves a lot of internal conflict. However, after deep reflection, I felt that under the current circumstances, it would be difficult to focus and play peacefully,” Humpy, who has since been replaced by Ukrainian GM Anna Muzychuk, told this website.

“Such situations can have an impact mentally. Chess at the highest level already requires immense concentration, and external uncertainties can make it more challenging,” she continued.

Also Read | Koneru Humpy challenges FIDE to host tournaments in Kashmir after Candidates controversy

And it’s not just Humpy who has expressed concern over the tournament taking place in such close proximity to an ongoing conflict. World No 2 Hikaru Nakamura, too, had raised alarm over “power going out completely” in parts of Cyprus for an extended period of time in a post on X on Sunday.

“I understand the concerns raised by Hikaru Nakamura. There are even bigger concerns for me…. we need to understand that FIDE is monitoring on a day-to-day basis to ensure the best as mentioned by its official,” Humpy added, reacting to American GM Nakamura’s post.

What next for Humpy after Candidates withdrawal? 

Humpy, however, isn’t likely to sit idle after pulling out of the Candidates. The two-time world rapid champion further reveals that she is being hailed by other organisers in the chess community for “speaking out courageously”, and has been getting plenty of offers for other tournaments.

Among those who have reached out to Humpy is Wadim Rosenstein, tech billionaire and chairman of the WR Group who had recently offered to host the Candidates in Germany and has now asked the Indian GM to represent his team at the World Rapid and Blitz Teams event in Hong Kong.

“They are sending me messages for speaking out courageously, now I am getting even more invitations. The first one to support was Mr. Wadim Rosenstein, chairman of WR group has offered me to play for his team in the coming World Rapid and Blitz teams in Hong Kong,” Humpy continued.

Also Read | Koneru Humpy’s Fide Candidates fears validated as another Cyprus event gets cancelled

Humpy’s exit leaves Divya Deshmukh and R Vaishali as the two Indian left at the Women’s Candidates. Deshmukh had defeated Humpy in a historic all-Indian final at the Women’s World Cup last year to become only the fourth female Grandmaster from India. Vaishali enters the event as the winner of the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss Tournament 2025.

The 2026 Women’s Candidates will be running simultaneously alongside the ‘Open’ Candidates from 28 March to 16 April, with the winner of the tournament set to challenge China’s Ju Wenjun – the reigning world champion – for her title later this year.