GM Koneru Humpy is likely to withdraw from the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament in Paphos, Cyprus, citing safety risks amid Middle East tensions. The event, set for March 29 to April 16, will proceed as planned according to FIDE. Other players and officials have voiced mixed views on the situation.
GM Koneru Humpy, ranked fifth in the world and a leading contender in the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament, has expressed serious doubts about participating due to escalating safety concerns in Cyprus. The tournament, which determines the challenger for women's world champion GM Ju Wenjun, is scheduled for Paphos from March 29 to April 16. Humpy told Hindustan Times, “I’ve been following the news closely and speaking to family and friends. I don’t think it makes sense to risk yourself to play one tournament.” She added, “It just doesn’t make any sense. It’s dangerous to travel anywhere near West Asia at this point... At the end of the day, life is bigger than sport.” The 38-year-old Indian grandmaster highlighted recent events, including U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and a suspected Iranian drone attack on a UK base on Cyprus's southern coast earlier in the month, which caused minor damage but no casualties. The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 3 Travel Advisory recommending reconsideration of travel to Cyprus. Airlines have canceled flights to the Middle East, and Humpy rerouted her travel via Frankfurt instead of Doha. FIDE insists the event will go ahead, stating it is monitoring the situation with Cypriot authorities and has assurances at the highest level, including expected attendance by Cyprus's president at the March 28 opening. FIDE CEO GM Emil Sutovsky remarked, “Could something happen? Possibly. But at the moment, we don’t see anything even remotely dangerous enough to consider moving it.” Top seed GM Zhu Jiner understands the concerns, having adjusted her flight via Germany, but views Cyprus as generally safe based on a prior visit, though travel risks near British air bases worry her. WR Group chairman Wadim Rosenstein offered to host the event in Germany if necessary. Should Humpy withdraw, GM Anna Muzychuk would replace her.
