India’s Koneru Humpy Set to Pull Out of Candidates Citing Safety Concerns Amid USA-Iran Tensions

Citing security risks from the escalating West Asia conflict, Koneru Humpy has requested FIDE to relocate the 2026 Candidates from Cyprus.

India’s Koneru Humpy Set to Pull Out of Candidates Citing Safety Concerns Amid USA-Iran Tensions

Koneru Humpy might withdraw from the FIDE Candidates tournament, due to the West Asian war. (Image via Times of India)

In Short
  • Koneru Humpy is considering withdrawing from the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates tournament due to safety concerns amid escalating USA-Iran tensions.
  • The tournament is set to take place in Cyprus, which is now viewed as a risky location due to nearby conflict.
  • Humpy's potential withdrawal reflects broader disruptions in global sports events caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict.

India’s first female chess Grandmaster, Koneru Humpy, is reportedly considering withdrawing from the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates tournament. Her potential pull-out stems from safety concerns related to the rising conflict in the Middle East.

The 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament, to be played at the Cap St. Georges Hotel and Resort in the small Cypriot town of Pegeia, will determine the challenger for the World Chess Championship. The winner of the tournament, which begins on March 28, will face off against world champion Ju Wenjun. However, India’s Koneru Humpy is close to announcing her withdrawal over security concerns.

While Cyprus was picked as a venue by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) last November, the situation in the region has changed dramatically. After the USA and Israel jointly launched an attack on Iran, it has now escalated into a full-scale conflict. Close to where the FIDE Candidates will be playing in Cyprus soon, a British air-base was hit by a drone on March 1, while warships have been deployed in the Mediterranean. 

An anxious Koneru Humpy, speaking to reporters, exclaimed that she is unwilling to risk playing in a country so uncomfortably close to conflict zone. She also expressed her hesitation in traveling to West Asia for the Candidates tournament.

The 38-year-old also talked about how several transit hubs in the region, including Dubai and Doha, have been affected by the war, forcing them to halt operations and for her to take an alternative route. 

She emphasized the need to play in a peaceful environment, expressing her reluctance to be near ‘bombs’ or ‘missile sirens’ under risky conditions. Humpy’s appeal was also aimed at FIDE, which is yet to change its stance on the issue of selecting an alternate venue.

The CEO of the global chess body, Emil Sutovsky, in a recent media interaction, confirmed that with Cyprus not involved in the war, there are no plans for a change. Should Humpy withdraw under these circumstances, she could face a fine of up to €10,000.

It just does not make any sense. It is dangerous to travel anywhere near West Asia at this point when there is so much tension and uncertainty. From an organizational point of view, it is just not the right call… Why not look at alternatives and different dates?

Koneru Humpy told to reporters (H/T: News 18)

Regarding the other qualified Indian chess players, Divya Deshmukh has confirmed her participation. However, Vaishali Rameshbabu, who has also reached the final eight, has not yet decided whether she will compete in Cyprus, with her team having released no official statement.

Global sports events disrupted by USA-Iran conflict; Koneru Humpy’s withdrawal rumors highlights fear

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which involves the USA, Iran, and Israel, has unfortunately caused sporting events to come to a halt. The fears expressed by chess player Koneru Humpy regarding her participation in the FIDE Women’s Candidates illustrate this crisis.

Sports cancelled over war
Global sporting events have faced the brunt of the ongoing USA-Iran war, highlighted by Koneru Humpy’s recent chess withdrawal fear. (via NDTV Sports)

Since the military escalation began, several global events have been either canceled or postponed due to security risks and airspace disruption. Racing has taken the biggest hit, with Formula 1’s Bahrain Grand Prix, scheduled for April 12, and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, on April 19, being officially canceled. Meanwhile, Moto GP’s Qatar edition, on April 12, is likely to be postponed or shifted to any venue.

Coming to football, the matches of the West Region of the AFC Champions League have been postponed indefinitely, two of those featuring Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr. Furthermore, the Finalissima between Spain and Argentina, which was scheduled to be played in Qatar, has been canceled. An ATP Challenger match in Fujairah, even had to be canceled after drone debris caused fire near the courts. 

Due to the region going up in flames, it has also led to the cancellation of an England Lions cricket tour to the UAE. Furthermore, Indian badminton player PV Sindhu was forced to withdraw from the All England Championships after being stranded at Dubai airport for several days.

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