by Koneru Humpy is an Indian chess player born on March 31, 1987, in Gudivada, Andhra Pradesh, India. Proud parents Koneru Ashok, Latha Ashok and sibling Chandra Hawsa Koneru. She is one of the strongest female chess players in the world and has achieved numerous accolades in her career including Arjuna Award (2003) and Padma Shri (2007) and BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year (2021)
She won several national and international chess championships, and her exceptional performance and dedication to the game led her to become a Grandmaster at the age of 15, making her one of the youngest female Grandmasters in history at that time beating Judit Polgár’s previous record by three months.
Koneru Humpy has a spectacular achievement for consistently being in top 5 women players across the world list of FIDE since April 2019. Earlier mentioned in FIDE’s Top 20 Girls list since July 2001. K Humpy bounced back from recent setbacks to claim her second Women’s World Rapid Chess title in New York,
Current Rating Status (reference FIDE.com) January’25
Std 2523
Rapid 2446
Blitz 2418
Koneru Humpy’s chess playing style is more towards tactical play side. Many times she has pitched herself as a formidable opponent in top-level competitions. She possess a keen ability to calculate complex variations specially during the middle game to change the board situation to her advantage and makes the games decisive.
K Humpy is indeed one of the strongest female chess players in history, a torch bearer in Indian Women Chess fraternity and has consistently been a top contender in various international tournaments. Some of her notable achievements include:
Youngest Woman Grandmaster: Koneru Humpy became the youngest woman in history to achieve the title of Grandmaster at the age of 15 years, 1 month, and 27 days in January 2002. This record-breaking achievement highlighted her immense talent and potential as a chess prodigy.
World Junior Chess Championship: In 2001, Humpy won the World Junior Chess Championship in Athens, Greece, showcasing her prowess among young chess players from around the world. She has achieved the titles Grandmaster (GM) 2002 and Woman Grandmaster (WGM) 2001 from FIDE.
Multiple Indian National Championships: Humpy has won multiple Indian National Chess Championships, demonstrating her dominance and consistency at the national level.
Women’s Grand Prix Series: Humpy has been a regular participant in the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix series, which is part of the qualification cycle for the Women’s World Chess Championship. Her strong performances in these events have placed her among the top contenders for the world title.
Olympiad and Asian Games: Humpy has represented India in numerous Chess Olympiads and Asian Games, contributing significantly to the team’s success. She has earned individual medals and played an instrumental role in India’s team achievements.
Candidates Tournament 2019: In the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2019, Humpy finished as the runner-up, securing a highly impressive performance and narrowly missing the opportunity to compete for the Women’s World Chess Championship title.
Koneru Humpy’s notable achievements recently in international championships:
- 2020: Gold at Cairns Cup[25]
- 2020: Silver at Speed Chess Championship
- 2020: Gold at FIDE Online Chess Olympiad 2020
- 2021: Bronze at FIDE Online Chess Olympiad 2021
- 2022: Bronze at 44th Chess Olympiad
- 2022: Gaprindashvili Cup Team Winner at 44th Chess Olympiad
- 2022: Silver at Women’s World Blitz Chess Championship 2022
- 2023: Silver at FIDE Women Grand Prix Munich , Germany
- 2024: Women’s World Rapid Chess Championship, New York
Chess Olympiad: Humpy has been a regular participant in the Chess Olympiad, which is one of the most prestigious team chess events in the world. She has represented India in multiple editions of the Olympiad, contributing significantly to the team’s success and earning individual accolades.
Women’s World Chess Championship: Humpy has participated in the Women’s World Chess Championship several times. Her strong performances in these competitions have placed her among the top contenders for the title of Women’s World Chess Champion.
FIDE Women’s Grand Prix: Humpy has been a regular participant in the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix series, which is part of the qualification cycle for the Women’s World Chess Championship. Her performances in these events have showcased her consistent strength as a top-level player.
Asian Team Chess Championship: Humpy has represented India in the Asian Team Chess Championship, contributing to India’s team achievements in this regional competition.
Women’s World Team Chess Championship: Humpy has been part of the Indian women’s team in the Women’s World Team Chess Championship, competing against other national teams from around the world.
Various Open Tournaments: In addition to team competitions, Humpy has participated in various open chess tournaments around the world, where she has competed against top male and female players.
Some of the famous chess grandmasters Koneru Humpy has faced in major tournaments and events are:
Koneru Humpy vs. Viswanathan Anand
Humpy had the opportunity to play against her fellow Indian and former World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand in various national and international events.
Koneru Humpy vs. Judit Polgar
Humpy faced the legendary Hungarian chess player Judit Polgar in several tournaments, including the North Urals Cup in 2007, where they played a memorable game as mentioned in a previous response.
Koneru Humpy vs. Hou Yifan
Humpy and Hou Yifan, the former Women’s World Chess Champion, have had several encounters in elite women’s tournaments and events like the Women’s World Chess Championship.
Koneru Humpy vs. Sergey Karjakin
Humpy has faced strong male grandmasters like Sergey Karjakin, the youngest-ever grandmaster in chess history, in prestigious events where women compete alongside men.
Koneru Humpy vs. Veselin Topalov
Humpy has played against Bulgarian grandmaster Veselin Topalov, who was the FIDE World Chess Champion from 2005 to 2006, in high-level competitions.
As many great chess players face, Humpy has also faced tough competition and a few losses at international chess tournaments.
K Humpy played against the legendary Hungarian chess player Judit Polgar in various tournaments. Polgar, one of the strongest female players in history, secured wins in some of these games.
Game: Koneru Humpy vs. Judit Polgar
Event: North Urals Cup
Date: August 20, 2007
Opening: Sicilian Defense, Scheveningen Variation (ECO B84)
[pgnv]
1.e4 c5
2.Nf3 d6
3.d4 cxd4
4.Nxd4 Nf6
5.Nc3 a6
6.Be2 e6
7.O-O Be7
8.f4 Qc7
9.Kh1 Nc6
10.Be3 O-O
11.Qe1 Bd7
12.Qg3 b5
13.a3 Nxd4
14.Bxd4 Bc6
15.Bd3 Rad8
16.Rae1 Qb7
17.Qh3 g6
18.f5 e5
19.Be3 Kh8
20.Bh6 Rg8
21.Bg5 Rdf8
22.Qh4 gxf5
23.Rxf5 Rg6
24.Ref1 Rfg8
25.Rxf6 Rxg5
26.Rxf7 R5g7
27.Qh6 Qc8
28.R1f5 Qd8
29.Rh5 Bd7
30.Qxh7+ Rxh7
31.Rhxh7# 1-0
[/pgnv]
In this game, Humpy faced the legendary Hungarian chess player Judit Polgar. It was a highly intense and tactical battle, with both players displaying their attacking prowess. Humpy sacrificed her rook with 25. Rxf6, initiating a deadly attack on the black king. The game culminated in a spectacular checkmating combination with 31. Rhxh7#.
Humpy Koneru vs Wenjun Ju
Women’s World Championship Knockout Tournament (2010), Antakya TUR, rd 4, Dec-13
King’s Indian Defense: Four Pawns Attack
[pgnv]
1.d4 Nf6
2.c4 g6
3.Nc3 Bg7
4.e4 d6
5.f4 O-O
6.Nf3 Na6
7.Bd3 e5
8.fxe5 dxe5
9.d5 Nc5
10.Bc2 a5
11.O-O Qe7
12.Qe2 Bd7
13.Kh1 b6
14.Rb1 Nh5
15.Be3 Bg4
16.Qf2 Nb7
17.Nb5 f5
18.exf5 gxf5
19.Bg5 Bf6
20.Bxf6 Rxf6
21.Rbe1 e4
22.Nfd4 Nc5
23.Nc6 Qg7
24.Ne5 Rh6
25.Nxg4 Qxg4
26.Kg1 Rf8
27.Nxc7 Rg6
28.Ne6 Nxe6
29.dxe6 Nf4
30.Kh1 Nxe6
31.Re3 Nc5
32.h3 Qg5
33.Bxe4 Nxe4
34.Rxe4 f4
35.Qf3 h6
36.Rf2 Rgf6
37.Rd2 Rg6
38.Rdd4 Rgf6
39.Re7 R6f7
40.Re6 Rf6
41.Rdd6 Rxe6
42.Rxe6 Rf6
43.Qa8+ Kg7
44.Re7+ Rf7
45.Rxf7+ Kxf7
46.Qb7+ Qe7
47.Qxb6 Qe1+
48.Qg1 Qd2
49.Qf1 Ke6
50.Kh2 Ke5
51.Qf3 Qxb2
52.Qh5+ Kd4
53.Qd5+ Ke3
54.c5 Qc1
55.c6 a4
56.a3 Kf2
57.Qd4+ Ke2
58.Qxa4 Qe3
59.Qc2+ Kf1
60.Qd1+1-0
[/pgnv]
Online Presence of Koneru Humpy
