Humpy Koneru withdraws from FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament

One of the leading figures in the world of chess, Indian grandmaster Humpy Koneru, has announced that she will not participate in the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament planned to be held in Cyprus.

İdman.Biz reports that the experienced chess player has linked this difficult decision to her personal safety.

In a statement posted on her social media account, Koneru emphasized that this step was painful but inevitable for her:

"After much deliberation, I have decided to withdraw from the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament. No tournament, no matter how important, can be more important than one's own safety and well-being. Despite the assurances given, I do not feel completely secure in the current circumstances. This is a difficult but necessary decision, and I stand by my decision."

It should be reminded that Humpy Koneru had previously signaled that she might withdraw from the tournament against the background of the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East and strikes against military bases in Cyprus. The official statements issued by FIDE regarding the safety of the tournament have not been enough to alleviate the Indian star's concerns. The 38-year-old chess player's withdrawal from the tournament will cause serious changes in the competition's lineup.