Candidates Chaos: Humpy Koneru Considers Pulling Out Over Iran War Fears FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky downplayed concerns about the safety of the 2026 Candidates tournament in Cyprus, assuring fans that the event would proceed despite recent regional tensions. The organization had previously addressed worries about the war in Iran and its impact on the Mediterranean, noting that the tournament would be closely monitored but unlikely to be affected. However, this confidence was challenged when Humpy Koneru, a prominent Indian women’s chess grandmaster, voiced her hesitations about participating. Koneru, a two-time Women’s World Rapid Champion and former world title challenger, expressed concerns over the escalating conflict in the region. She highlighted the ongoing drone strikes in Cyprus and the broader instability caused by the war between Israel and Lebanon, involving Hezbollah. “I am a bit hesitant to travel because of this,” she said. “If the situation continues like this, I am really doubtful of my participation.” Koneru emphasized the importance of a safe and stable environment for such a high-profile event. “You should be in a position to play the game in a peaceful and good atmosphere,” she stated. “Not surrounded by bomb or missile sirens. You don’t need to be desperate to hold events in such environments.” She questioned the necessity of holding the tournament in Cyprus, given the risks posed by the ongoing conflict. “When there is a 10 or 20 per cent risk in playing in Cyprus, what was the necessity to hold the event in that place?” she asked. The 38-year-old player, who took a break from competitive chess to start a family, returned to the sport with renewed strength. Her concerns reflect broader anxieties among top players about the safety of traveling to the island.#iran_war #cyprus #fide_ceo #emil_sutovsky #humpy_koneru
German entrepreneur offers to host Candidates tournament amid safety concerns Bengaluru: Following reports that Indian chess grandmaster Koneru Humpy may withdraw from the Candidates tournament in Cyprus due to safety concerns linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, German entrepreneur Wadim Rosenstein has proposed hosting the event in Germany. The Candidates tournament, originally scheduled for Cyprus between March 28 and April 16, now faces uncertainty as the situation in the region grows volatile. Rosenstein, a chess enthusiast and founder of WR Group, has expressed his willingness to step in and ensure the tournament proceeds safely. In a statement shared on X, he emphasized the importance of providing a secure environment for all participants. “With Koneru Humpy reportedly considering her participation in the Candidates tour, it becomes even more critical to guarantee a safe and stable setting for all players,” he wrote. He assured Fide of his readiness to host the event, stating that all organizational and logistical costs would be covered by WR Chess. Rosenstein, who runs the WR Masters Chess tournament in his hometown of Dusseldorf, has a history of collaboration with Fide. In 2023, he co-launched the World Rapid Team Championships, a tournament open to clubs worldwide and featuring both Grandmasters and amateur players. The inaugural edition was won by his team, WR Chess, and the event later expanded to include a blitz format, becoming the World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships. Magnus Carlsen, the world No. 1, is expected to return as part of the WR Chess team this year. The Candidates tournament, which is set to begin just days after the proposed relocation, remains a pivotal event in the chess calendar.#cyprus #konneru_humpy #wadim_rosenstein #wr_group #fide
UK, France Send Warships, Air Defence Assets to Cyprus After Drone Attack The United Kingdom and France have deployed military assets to Cyprus following an Iranian-made drone attack on a British military base in the region. The UK announced the dispatch of the HMS Dragon, a Type-45 air defence destroyer, along with two Wildcat helicopters, to bolster drone defence capabilities for Cyprus. The move comes amid heightened tensions over recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory attacks by Tehran. The HMS Dragon, equipped with a Sea Viper missile system capable of launching eight missiles in under 10 seconds and guiding up to 16 simultaneously, was sent to the eastern Mediterranean. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the country’s commitment to Cyprus’s security in a social media post, stating, “We will always act in the interest of the UK and our allies.” France followed suit, ordering its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, to move from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean. The carrier will be accompanied by its air wing, escorting frigates, and additional air defence systems. French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the deployment of Rafale fighter jets and airborne radar systems in the Middle East, citing the recent drone strike on the RAF base in Akrotiri as a key factor. He also mentioned the arrival of the French frigate Languedoc near Cyprus. The drone attack on the RAF base in Akrotiri, southwest of Limassol, caused minor damage when the Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicle crashed into the facility. Cyprus’s president, Nikos Christodoulides, confirmed the incident, while local reports described the evacuation of about 1,000 residents due to emergency procedures.#iran #france #uk #keir_starmer #cyprus
Guernsey cancel Cyprus games after military action Guernsey's planned cricket series against Cyprus has been canceled following recent military tensions in the Middle East. The island nation was set to host a T20 tri-series against Austria and Cyprus from 12-16 March at the Happy Valley Ground in Akrotiri, a UK-administered sovereign base area. However, the event was called off after Iranian drones targeted the base, prompting security upgrades. The UK has deployed the Royal Navy warship HMS Dragon to reinforce the area's defenses. The matches were intended as warm-up games for Guernsey's upcoming qualifiers for the 2028 T20 World Cup. Richard Headington, Guernsey Cricket's chief operating officer, confirmed the cancellation, stating, "Unfortunately due to the situation in that part of the world we've made the decision to cancel." He noted the event would have provided valuable preparation for the senior men's World Cup qualifiers in May, allowing players to familiarize themselves with the venue and opponents. Guernsey is scheduled to compete in the 10-team Europe Sub-regional Qualifier A in Cyprus from 16-23 May, where they will face hosts Cyprus and Channel Island rivals Jersey. The winner of the qualifier will advance to the final stage of European competition for the 2028 World Cup. In the interim, Guernsey will arrange warm-up matches with county academy teams during Easter before traveling to Cyprus for the tournament.#cyprus #guernsey #happy_valley_ground #hms_dragon #royal_navy
Cyprus Evacuates Residents Amid Drone Attacks on RAF Base Residents of Cyprus have been evacuated from the village of Akrotiri following a drone attack on a British RAF facility. Local officials confirmed that nearly all villagers have left the area, with only about 20 people remaining due to refusal to depart. Deputy mayor Giorgos Konstantinos described the evacuation as a "mass exodus" driven by fear and the threat posed by the attack. Police forces have been deployed around the RAF base, and non-essential personnel have been relocated to safer areas within the sovereign base areas, a remnant of colonial rule. The drone strike, which occurred on Sunday, has raised questions about its origin. While it is unclear whether the unmanned vehicles were launched from Iran or operated by Iranian proxy forces in Lebanon, two additional drones were intercepted earlier on Monday. The attack has intensified tensions in the region, with further strikes and evacuations reported. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump made unsubstantiated claims on his Truth Social platform, asserting that Iran would have possessed a nuclear bomb by 2022 if the Iran nuclear deal had not been terminated. He accused former President Barack Obama and current President Joe Biden of enabling Iran’s nuclear ambitions. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had previously confirmed Iran’s compliance with the JCPOA, which restricted uranium enrichment, until the U.S. withdrew from the agreement in 2018. The U.S. State Department has issued an urgent warning for American citizens to leave over a dozen Middle Eastern countries amid escalating conflict.#iran #cyprus #akrotiri #raf_base #giorgos_konstantinos
