Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy: Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy has withdrawn from the upcoming FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament due to security concerns amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Humpy shared her decision in a social media statement on Sunday, emphasizing that personal safety is more important than competitive commitments. “After deep reflection, I have made 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,” she wrote on X.
The tournament will take place in Cyprus, which has recently faced increased security issues. Earlier this month, a British air base on the island was hit in a drone attack. This incident raised concerns about the impact of the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has been fueled by US and Israeli strikes on Iran, spreading into the region.
