CHESS OLYMPIAD | Humpy keen to make an impression in India’s title defence at Samarkand
Grandmaster Koneru Humpy is set to lead the Indian women's chess team in their title defense at the upcoming Chess Olympiad in Samarkand. Humpy expressed confidence in the team's strength despite the challenge of defending a gold medal.
Why it matters
India's emergence as a global chess powerhouse makes their performance in international team events a significant cultural and sporting milestone.
Koneru Humpy wasn’t there when the Indian women won the historic gold at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest in 2024. She will be there though to lead India’s title defence at Samarkand next month.
The presence of two-time World rapid champion has no doubt further strengthened the Indian team. Humpy, one of the strongest female players in history, is looking forward to her return to the Olympiad, after being part of the bronze-medal winning team in the 2022 event, which India had hosted, at Mamallapuram, near Chennai.
“I am really glad to be part of such a strong team at this year’s Olympiad, though I know it is not going to be easy to defend the title,” Humpy told The Hindu over the phone from Vijayawada on Tuesday. “More than winning something for the first time, winning for the second time is usually more difficult.”
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