Koneru Humpy has once again proven her mastery in the world of chess by clinching the World Rapid Chess Championship title for a historic second time. The Indian Grandmaster secured the prestigious victory on Sunday, December 29, 2024, in New York, after an impressive final round win over Irene Sukandar. Humpy’s win in this highly competitive event is a testament to her exceptional skill and consistency at the highest level of chess.
Koneru Humpy’s Second World Rapid Chess Title
Humpy’s victory in the tournament marked a career milestone, making her only the second chess player in history to win the Women’s World Rapid Chess Championship more than once, joining China’s Ju Wenjun in this exclusive club. At 37 years old, Humpy showed her enduring brilliance by finishing at the top of the leaderboard with 8.5 points from 11 rounds. Her final-round triumph over Sukandar was a decisive moment, as she needed a victory to seal the title.
This marks a significant moment in Humpy’s career, as she becomes the first Indian woman to win the World Rapid Chess Championship twice. Her first World Rapid Championship title came in 2019 in Moscow, a memorable victory that was followed by a series of strong performances on the global chess stage. This latest triumph solidifies her place as one of the greatest chess players in the world.
A Year of Success for Indian Chess
This year has been a remarkable one for Indian chess, with Humpy’s triumph coming just weeks after D Gukesh’s incredible victory in the Chess World Championship in the classical format. Gukesh’s victory also marked a historic moment as he became only the second Indian man to win the prestigious title, after Viswanathan Anand.
Humpy’s victory is also part of her ongoing legacy in chess. She made a significant mark in the World Rapid Chess Championship in 2012, securing a bronze medal. In 2019, she reached the peak of the chess world by winning the championship in Batumi, Georgia. However, her second-place finish in 2023, where she narrowly lost the title in a tiebreak against Russia’s Anastasia Bodnaruk, demonstrated her resilience and competitive spirit.
Koneru Humpy’s Continued Excellence
Koneru Humpy’s achievements extend beyond the rapid format. She also earned a silver medal at the 2022 Women’s World Blitz Chess Championship and came close to winning the Women’s Candidates Tournament in 2024, finishing with another silver. These achievements reflect her versatility and ability to perform across different chess formats.
The victory was widely celebrated, with notable figures such as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and former Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju congratulating her for this historic achievement. As Humpy continues to shine on the global chess stage, her legacy as one of the game’s greats only grows stronger.