Koneru Humpy Clinches FIDE Women’s Grand Prix Title in Pune
Indian Grandmaster and Telugu chess sensation Koneru Humpy emerged victorious at the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix chess tournament held in Pune, securing her place at the top of international women’s chess once again.
Heading into the final round, Humpy was tied for first place with China’s Zhu Jiner, setting the stage for a high-stakes conclusion to the prestigious tournament. In a decisive performance, Humpy defeated Bulgaria’s Nurgyul Salimova with a 1-0 victory, showcasing her trademark composure and tactical brilliance.
Zhu Jiner also won her final game, overcoming Russian player Polina Shuvalova, which kept the points level at the top of the leaderboard. However, it was Koneru Humpy’s superior tie-break score that ultimately crowned her the champion, marking a significant achievement in her illustrious career.
The tournament was a strong showcase for Indian talent. Fellow Telugu Grandmaster Dronavalli Harika held Mongolia’s Munguntuul Batkhuyag to a draw, while R. Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh also concluded their final-round matches with draws against Salome Melia of Georgia and Alina Kashlinskaya of Russia, respectively.
The event in Pune not only highlighted the depth of Indian women’s chess but also reaffirmed Koneru Humpy’s position as one of the sport’s most consistent and celebrated competitors.
Her victory at the Women’s Grand Prix adds another accolade to her distinguished career, inspiring a new generation of chess players in India and beyond.
