The 2026 Candidates Tournament, scheduled to begin on March 28 in Cyprus, is facing a major crisis just days before the opening. Indian chess legend and two-time World Rapid Champion, Koneru Humpy, has expressed strong doubts about participating, citing safety concerns due to the escalating conflict in the region.
In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, Humpy was unequivocal about the risks of traveling to the eastern Mediterranean at this moment. “The war started around a fortnight ago, it’s still ongoing, and the tournament is less than two weeks away,” she stated. “I don’t think any official body would dare host an event in the region at this point.”
For Humpy, this is not an easy decision. At 39, she acknowledges Cyprus could be her final chance to qualify for a Classical World Chess Championship match. She insists that the safety of the 16 players (Open and Women’s sections) must come first.
FIDE’s Stance Under Fire
Humpy revealed that she reached out to FIDE to request a rescheduling of the event, but the response was far from what she expected. Apparently, FIDE is “monitoring the situation on a day-to-day basis” but seems determined to go ahead despite flight cancellations and the proximity of the venue to the conflict zones.
“From an organizational point of view, it’s just not the right call,” Humpy added, calling for FIDE to look at alternative dates or locations.
Despite her concerns, Humpy has not officially withdrawn yet. She has her flight tickets rerouted through Frankfurt instead of Doha, holding out hope for a last-minute change in the situation.
However, her statement is clear: if the situation doesn’t improve, she will choose safety over the chessboard – “At the end of the day, life is bigger than sport.”.
