Premium

‘Indian queen rules the board’: Anand Mahindra hails Koneru Humpy for becoming FIDE women’s World Rapid Chess Champion

Humpy defeated Indonesia's Irene Sukandar, finishing with a score of 8.5/11.

Koneru Humpy defeated Indonesia's Irene Sukandar with the black pieces in the final round of the tournament (Image source: @humpy_koneru_/X)

Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy was crowned Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE or International Chess Federation) Women’s World Rapid Champion in New York on Saturday evening. Humpy claimed the title for the second time, and this is the fourth time she has finished in the top three of the prestigious event. She bagged the title last in 2019.

As congratulatory messages poured in, industrialist Anand Mahindra hailed Humpy, dedicating a post to her on X. “An Indian Queen rules the board. Thank you @humpy_koneru for making us so proud. And for providing a winning and fitting finale to what has been an absolutely brilliant year for Indian Chess!” Mahindra wrote.

See the post here:

An Indian Queen rules the board.

Thank you @humpy_koneru for making us so proud.

And for providing a winning and fitting finale to what has been an absolutely brilliant year for Indian Chess!

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 https://t.co/6l4wOtJCsc

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) December 29, 2024

Several users flocked to the comment section to congratulate Humpy on her win. “Every Indian husband knows, while they are playing checkers their wives are playing chess, and often 3-d, 4-d chess. Congratulations,” a user wrote. “A role model for aspiring chess players,” another user commented.

“She did it at 37. Dedicated lady,” a third user said.

Story continues below this ad

Also Read | ‘Peddar road ka nimbu paani hero’: Meet Rajesh Shah, who’s been hydrating Mumbai’s runners for 12 years

Humpy defeated Indonesia’s Irene Sukandar with the black pieces in the final round of the tournament, finishing with a score of 8.5/11 to claim the title. She also became the second player in history to win multiple Women’s World Rapid titles, following China’s Ju Wenjun.

The seven players who made it to the top spot in the tournament were 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.

“I’m very happy and excited because this is my second world Rapid title. I also won in 2019,” FIDE’s live feed quoted Humpy as saying after the win.

The police said that Kumar, a resident of Turbhe MIDC in Navi Mumbai, was driving his concrete mixer truck when it collided with an SUV.

‘Unleashed aggressive dog to stop probe’: Sacked IAS officer Puja Khedkar’s mother booked

Cities4 hr ago

The mother of a dismissed IAS officer, Manorama Khedkar, has been booked by the police for obstructing an investigation and aiding suspects involved in a road rage incident. The incident occurred on September 13 and involved two men who allegedly kidnapped a truck helper.

View all shorts

Live Blog