Divya Deshmukh: Norway Chess: Divya Deshmukh pips India No. 1 Koneru Humpy in Armageddon; no joy for Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa The Norway Chess tournament saw a dramatic all-Indian clash between Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh and top-ranked women’s player Koneru Humpy in the women’s section on Tuesday. The match, held at the Deichman Bjørvika library in Oslo, was a pivotal moment for Humpy, who was making her return to elite competition after skipping the Women’s Candidates tournament due to Middle East conflict uncertainties. Despite her strong start, Humpy faced a decisive defeat in the Armageddon tiebreak, marking a significant win for Deshmukh. In the classical game, Deshmukh, playing with the white pieces, initiated an aggressive kingside attack with moves like g4–h4, forcing Humpy into passive defense. After both players castled on opposite sides, the game became highly tactical, with Deshmukh maintaining the initiative through active rook and knight play. A critical moment arrived with 30.Nxg6!, exploiting Humpy’s coordination issues. However, the game ended in a draw after 32.Rxf7+, pushing the match into the Armageddon decider. In the Armageddon phase, Black (Humpy) received seven minutes, while White (Deshmukh) had 10. Humpy defended the Berlin structure solidly but gradually lost ground as Deshmukh outplayed her in the endgame. Superior knight activity and queenside expansion by Deshmukh created lasting pressure, while Humpy’s pieces became immobilized. After 38...Na8, Humpy’s position was strategically lost. The match concluded with Humpy losing on time, securing Deshmukh’s second consecutive Armageddon victory in the Norway Chess Women tournament. Meanwhile, Indian players Praggnanandhaa and D Gukesh faced setbacks in the open section. Praggnanandhaa, who had beaten World No.#koneru_humpy #divya_deshmukh #oslo #praggnanandhaa #norway_chess
India Chess Grandmaster Koneru Humpy Withdraws From Candidates Tournament In Cyprus Amid Safety Concerns Indian chess grandmaster Koneru Humpy has confirmed her decision to withdraw from the Candidates tournament in Cyprus, citing safety concerns linked to the ongoing Gulf conflict. The 27-year-old, a two-time World Rapid champion and one of four Indian players set to compete in the event, stated that participating in the tournament amid heightened regional tensions would not be "peaceful." She emphasized that the island's proximity to volatile areas and the presence of military assets made it unsafe for her to travel, particularly as a woman. Humpy’s withdrawal comes after a drone strike on a UK military base in the region raised alarms. She explained that the situation posed significant risks, especially for foreign participants. "You can't play surrounded by warships," she said, referring to the military presence on Cyprus. "If a foreigner like me, and being a woman, has to travel for such an important tournament, how can I play peacefully?" She added that the event’s location, near Lebanon and Israel, further compounded her concerns, noting that the Cyprus president had recently raised issues about the UK base with the European Union. Despite the withdrawal, Humpy stated she is not deterred by potential penalties from the International Chess Federation (FIDE). She dismissed fears that her decision would be financially costly, asserting that she is not playing for monetary gain. "I'm not scared about the penalty," she said. "I'm not playing just for money or monetary benefits. I just enjoy the sport." Humpy revealed she had spent three months preparing for the tournament, sacrificing personal time with her daughter.#india #cyprus #fide #koneru_humpy #candidates_tournament
