India’s Koneru Humpy Wins FIDE Women’s World Rapid Championship

December 29, 2024: Koneru Humpy has made history once again by winning the 2024 FIDE Women’s World Rapid Chess Championship in New York, claiming her second world rapid title. Humpy triumphed in the final round of the tournament by beating Indonesia’s Irene Sukandar with the black pieces. This victory marks a significant achievement in her illustrious career, as it is her second world rapid title—the first being in 2019. It is also the fourth time she has finished in the top three at the event.

Humpy sealed the title with an impressive 8.5/11 score, which placed her ahead of her competitors, including her compatriot Harika Dronavalli, who was in joint lead with Humpy going into the final round. Harika, however, ended her game in a draw against China’s Tan Zhongyi, while Humpy’s stunning performance secured her the victory.

In an inspiring interview after the win, Humpy shared her joy and humble surprise at clinching the title. She said, “It’s high time for India in chess. We have Gukesh as the World Champion, and now I have secured my second world title in the rapid event.” Reflecting on her journey, she added, “I feel very happy for winning for the second time. In fact, I didn’t expect it at all because I lost my first-round game, and I never imagined that I could finish the tournament as a World Champion.”

This victory holds significant personal meaning for Humpy, especially after a series of challenges. She shared that it gave her a boost in confidence and renewed her determination to work harder at chess. “This victory is very special. When I am on my lower side, I think this gave me the boost to fight and to again work on chess,” she said.

Humpy’s Achievement:

• 8.5/11 score to win the 2024 FIDE Women’s World Rapid Chess Championship.
• Her second World Rapid title (the first was in 2019).
• She became the second player to win multiple Women’s World Rapid titles, after China’s Ju Wenjun.
• She had previously finished second in the event in 2012 and 2023.

Humpy’s win highlights India’s growing dominance in the world of chess, with rising stars like Gukesh claiming the title of World Champion, and now Humpy reaffirming her place as a global chess giant. This victory also serves as a great source of inspiration for chess players in India and around the world, proving that resilience, hard work, and perseverance lead to success, even after setbacks.