Indian chess grandmaster Koneru Humpy, renowned for her strategic brilliance, has outlined her competitive plans for 2025. She aims to participate in the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix in Pune and the Norway Chess tournament, focusing on enhancing her classical rating.
Upcoming Tournaments: Pune and Norway
Humpy will compete in the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix from April 14 to 25, 2025, in Pune. This event is part of a series determining qualifiers for the Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026. Following this, she will participate in the Norway Chess tournament from May 26 to June 6, 2025, in Stavanger, Norway. This prestigious event features top-ranked players, offering Humpy a platform to compete against elite opponents.
Focus on Classical Rating
Humpy’s primary goal for 2025 is to improve her classical rating. Competing in these high-caliber tournaments provides opportunities to achieve this objective. Her participation in the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix and Norway Chess underscores her commitment to excellence.
Recent Performance and Motivation
In February 2025, Humpy secured second place at the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix in Monaco, demonstrating her competitive form. Reflecting on her journey, she revealed that after a challenging phase in 2024, she considered retiring from professional chess. However, her near victory at the 2023 World Rapid Chess Championship motivated her to continue. “I had come really close to winning gold in the World Rapid Chess in 2023, losing only in the tie-break. So I felt I should give it one more shot,” Humpy shared.
Also Read: GM Vaishali Rameshbabu Inspires Women Through PM Modi’s Social Media
Balancing Family and Professional Life
Managing the demands of professional chess alongside family responsibilities presents challenges. Koneru Humpy acknowledges that her daughter, Ahana, misses her during tournaments. Upon returning, Ahana often asks if she has more tournaments ahead. Despite these challenges, Humpy continues to pursue her passion for chess, balancing her roles as a mother and a grandmaster.
Preparation Strategies
Humpy’s preparation involves playing online games, solving puzzles, and studying videos of former world champions to internalize their techniques. She emphasizes mental attitude, focusing on resilience and determination. This holistic approach contributes to her sustained success in the competitive chess arena.
Also Read: Monaco Welcomes the World’s Best for the 2025 Women’s Grand Prix
