Indian chess grandmaster Koneru Humpy won her second FIDE Women's World Rapid Chess Championship title in New York, defeating Indonesia's Irene Sukandar with an impressive score of 8.5 out of 11 rounds. Koneru's performance was marked by resilience and a remarkable comeback, making her the second woman after China's Ju Wenjun to win multiple titles in this category.
Koneru Humpy became the youngest woman to achieve Grandmaster in 2002 and has won three gold medals at the World Youth Chess Championships. She has also won gold medals at the Asian Games and Asian Chess Championship. Humpy won her first World Rapid Championship title in 2019 and defended her title in 2024, becoming the second woman to win multiple titles in this category. She said, "This is my second world title, and I think it's a golden era for Indian chess." Despite facing challenges and considering retirement due to self-doubt and fatigue, she is a powerful reminder of her skill and perseverance. She mentions "I was lacking sleep and struggling with self-doubt, but this championship has reignited my ambitions as one of the elite players in women's chess."
The FIDE Women's World Rapid Chess Championship 2024 took place in New York from December 25 to December 28, 2024, featuring 16 top-ranked female chess players. Koneru Humpy from India won her second title defeating Irene Sukandar in the final round showcasing skill, strategy, and mental fortitude.
