Crucial result: Praggnanandhaa held his own against the Netherlands’ Anish.
| Photo Credit: FIDE

Samarkand is ready: FIDE interim president Viswanathan Anand and AICF president Nitin Narang hand over the Chess Olympiad flame to Sindarov.
| Photo Credit: special arrangement

International arbiter Anemone Kulczak has praised the Indian players for their discipline and talent.
| Photo Credit: Tor Nilssen

India’s top-ranked female chess player, Koneru Humpy, will return to compete in Norway Chess Women 2025. Currently ranked World No.6 in women’s classical chess, Humpy aims to make her mark in the prestigious chess tournament. Humpy’s return to Norway Chess Women highlights her remarkable career, filled with significant milestones. In 2002, she became the first Indian woman to achieve the Grandmaster title, securing her place in chess history. Today, she remains India’s No.1 in women’s chess and a respected figure worldwide.

Her achievements include winning the World Rapid Championship title twice–in 2019 and 2024. She was also named BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year in 2020, recognizing her contributions to Indian sports. Her victories in the Olympiad, Asian Games, and Asian Championships have further confirmed her status as one of the top female players in chess.

Norway Chess 2025 will give Humpy the opportunity to demonstrate her skills once again. As one of only two female players in chess history to cross the 2600 rating mark, she has consistently broken barriers and paved the way for women’s chess. Her participation this year reflects her determination and drive to compete at the highest level.

“It’s an honour to play in the prestigious Norway Chess Women tournament,” said Humpy Koneru, as per a release from Norway Chess.

When asked to describe herself, she chose the word “self-disciplined,” a quality that defines her approach to chess and her rise to the top. This discipline has helped her remain focused, consistent, and resilient, even against tough opponents.

Humpy’s participation in global tournaments continues to inspire aspiring chess players, particularly young women in India and around the world. Her journey is a testament to how determination and discipline can lead to extraordinary success.

“Humpy’s achievements speak volumes, and we are delighted to welcome her back to Norway Chess Women 2025,” said Kjell Madland, Founder and Tournament Director of Norway Chess.

Humpy Koneru’s return to Norway Chess Women is highly anticipated. With her proven track record, and being no. 3 of the highest rated female players in Norway Chess Women 2025, she is a strong contender for the title.

Norway Chess is one of the world’s premier chess tournaments, bringing together the top male and female players in a distinctive 6-player double round-robin format. The introduction of Norway Chess Women in 2024, with equal prize funds for men and women, underscores the event’s commitment to gender equality and innovation in the sport. Norway Chess 2025 will take place from May 26 to 6 June.

Koneru Humpy achieved feat of winning the World Rapid chess title for a second time.© FIDE

Grandmaster Koneru Humpy capped a wonderful year for Indian chess, defeating Irene Sukandar of Indonesia to emerge the FIDE Women’s World Rapid Chess champion in New York on Sunday. Humpy had won the event back in 2019 at Georgia and the Indian No. 1 is only the second player after China’s Ju Wenjun to clinch the title more than once. Humpy’s achievement laced a sensational year for the chess fraternity after D Gukesh defeated China’s Ding Liren to emerge champion in the classical format World Championship recently in Singapore.

In September, India had also won its first-ever gold medals in Open and Women’s categories in the Chess Olympiad in Budapest.

The Indian, who started the tournament here with a first-round defeat, was the lone winner in the 11th and final round, helping her to top the tables with 8.5 points, half a point clear of six others including compatriot D Harika.

“I’m very excited and happy. In fact, I expected it to be a very tough day, like some sort of tie-break. But when I finished the game, the arbitrator told me (about winning), and it was a tense moment for me,” said Humpy, who began with black pieces, after her victory.

“So, this is quite unexpected because the whole year I have been struggling and I had very bad tournaments where I just ended up in last place. So, this came as a surprise,” she added.

Ju Wenjun of China finished second as the tie-break was resolved while Kateryna Lagno of Russia ended third. Harika, who had eight points, had to be content with a fifth-place finish.

Humpy credited her family for the success.

“I think it was possible because of the support from my family. My husband and my parents…they support me a lot. My parents look after my daughter when I travel.

“It’s not easy to become a World Champion at 37. It’s quite difficult when you get older to keep that motivation and stay sharp when required. I’m glad that I made it,” she said.

The seasoned player said she was motivated to do well after her first round defeat, which saw her eventually slipping to 2.5 points after four rounds. “I started with a loss. I was 2.5/4, then on the second day I won four games,” she added.

Humpy said her victory will now prompt other Indians to take up chess.

“I think it’s high time for India. We also have Gukesh as world champion and now I got the second world title in the rapid event. So, I think this will motivate a lot of youngsters to take up chess professionally,” she noted.

Meanwhile in the open section, young 18-year-old Russian Grandmaster Volodar Murzin won the gold medal ahead of a star studded field showing tremendous nerves.

The defining point for Murzin was his penultimate round game against R Praggnanandhaa wherein the latter had a winning position that slipped out through a one-move blunder.

Turning the tables quickly, Murzin shot into sole lead after the 12th and penultimate round and then defended a slightly worse endgame to seal the victory with 10 points in all.

It was an all-Russian show in the open section as Alexander Grischuk finished second while the third place went to former world championship challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi who both ended with 9.5 points.

Arjun Erigaisi scored 9 points and tied for the fourth spot with five others while Praggnanandhaa ended on 8.5 points. Among other Indians, Aravindh Chithambaram was the next best performer on 8 points.

Final Standings: Women: 1. K Humpy 8.5; 2-7: Wenjun Ju (Chn), Kateryna Lagno (Fid), Zhongyi Tan (Chn), D Harika (Ind), Alexandra Kosteniuk (Sui), Afruja Khadamova (Uzb) 8 each.

Result of Indians: Divya Deshmukh (7); Padmini Rout (6.5); R Vaishali (5.5); Vantika Agarwal, Priyanka Nuttaki, Sahiti Varshini 5 each.

Men: 1. Volodar Murzin (FID, 10); 2-3. Alexander Grishchuk, Ian Nepomniachtchi (Both Fid) 9.5 each.

Result of Indians: Arjun Erigaisi (9); R Praggnanandhaa (8.5); Aravindh Chithamabaram (8); V Pranav (7.5); Raunak Saadhwani (7); V Karthik (7); Sandipan Chanda (6.5) Harsha Bharthakoti (6.5); Diptayan Ghosh (6).

File image of R Praggnanandhaa© AFP