India's Koneru Humpy Withdraws From Candidates Tournament Citing Security Concerns India's top chess player Koneru Humpy has pulled out of the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament, citing safety concerns related to the region's volatile security situation. The decision follows her public criticism of the tournament organizers, who she accused of failing to address risks posed by the unstable environment in West Asia. Humpy, a reigning world champion, expressed her frustration over the lack of adequate measures to ensure her safety during the event. The tournament, which serves as a qualifier for the Women's World Chess Championship, was scheduled to take place in a region recently affected by escalating tensions and sporadic violence. Humpy’s withdrawal has raised questions about the feasibility of holding such high-profile events in the area without robust security protocols. Her team confirmed that the move was made to prioritize her well-being, emphasizing the need for a safer environment to compete. Organizers have not yet issued a formal response to Humpy’s allegations, but they have acknowledged the challenges of hosting international competitions in the region. The incident highlights the growing impact of geopolitical instability on sports events, particularly those involving elite athletes. Humpy’s absence could disrupt the tournament’s structure, potentially altering the path for future world championship contenders. The decision has sparked discussions among chess officials about the broader implications for international competitions. While some argue that the risks are inherent to hosting events in conflict-prone areas, others stress the importance of safeguarding athletes’ safety.#west_asia #konneru_humpy #fide_women_candidates_tournament #women_s_world_chess_championship #chess_community
East Bengal Take On Mohammedan SC in ISL: Indian Sports LIVE, March 23 East Bengal's Yousseff Ezzejjari scored his second brace in two ISL games so far this season. Dipayan Bose/Focus Sports/ISL Indian sports can get quite action-packed and it's quite easy to miss out on important news and results. That's where we come in — ESPN's daily Indian sports blog has all the updates from the world of Indian sports as well as the news, scores, schedule, results and commentary that comes with it. 2026 is a big year, with the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and two Chess World Championship. The month of meanwhile, is similarly action packed — and you can go through the schedule in ESPN's sports calendar. Here are all the updates from Indian sports on March 23, 2026. Football: East Bengal take on Mohammedan SC in ISL What happened yesterday? ISL: Bengaluru beat Inter Kashi; FC Goa salvage draw with Chennaiyin FC. Squash: Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh win Indian Open titles in Mumbai. Chess: Koneru Humpy withdraws from FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament. Athletics: Dev Kumar Meena wins bronze in Taiwan. Football: India U17 men's team to play friendlies in Thailand. Motorsports: Former national rally champion Hari Singh remains missing after speedboat crash.#east_bengal #isl #mohammedan_sc #indian_open #fide_women_candidates_tournament
