Koneru Humpy to lead India’s Chess Olympiad title defence in Samarkand next month
Koneru Humpy will captain India’s defence of their Chess Olympiad title at Samarkand next month, she said over the phone from Vijayawada on Tuesday, as the team prepares to return to the biennial event after their 2024 gold in Budapest.
Humpy was not part of India’s gold-winning side in Budapest in 2024 but did play for the bronze-medal team at the 2022 Olympiad held in Mamallapuram near Chennai. A two-time World rapid champion, her inclusion has been described as a further strengthening of the Indian women’s squad, which also includes Divya Deshmukh, R. Vaishali, Vantika Agrawal and B. Savitha Shri. The combination places India among the pre-tournament favourites for the Samarkand event.
“I am really glad to be part of such a strong team at this year’s Olympiad, though I know it is not going to be easy to defend the title,” Humpy told The Hindu over the phone from Vijayawada on Tuesday. “More than winning something for the first time, winning for the second time is usually more difficult.”
On the level of competition India can expect, Humpy singled out several nations. “But we could expect to face strong challenges from countries like Russia, China, Georgia, Kazakhstan and the United States,” she said.
Humpy acknowledged she has missed previous Olympiads but said she was determined to take part in Samarkand because of uncertainty over her activity in the next two years. “I have had to miss quite a few Olympiads in the past, but I was determined to play in this one, as I am not sure how active as a player I would be when the next one comes after two years.”
She set out an intensive schedule ahead of the Olympiad, detailing imminent tournaments. “I am flying to the US tomorrow for the Cairns Cup at Saint Louis,” she said. “From there, I will be going to Saint-Tropez in France for the WR Women’s Chess Tour. And then, after spending a few days at home, I will be playing at the Global Chess League in Bengaluru.”
Reflecting on recent form and preparation, Humpy said the Global Chess League served as useful match practice despite a difficult outing last year, and she noted the format differences between events. “I was playing at the GCL after a fairly long break, so I wasn’t at my best, but the format of the league proved an excellent preparation for the World rapid championship,” Humpy said. “The GCL’s rule of having no increment can be tough for the players as we are used to playing with increments in all other tournaments.” The World rapid championship in Doha produced a bronze medal for her after she was involved in a three-way tie for the title.
Humpy’s immediate itinerary — the Cairns Cup in Saint Louis, the WR Women’s Chess Tour in Saint-Tropez, a short break at home and the Global Chess League in Bengaluru — precedes India’s campaign in Samarkand next month, where the defending champions will confront the strong field she identified.