Koneru Humpy speaks on history-making feat at FIDE World Cup: ‘I might have performed a lot better’

Indian chess legend and Grandmaster Koneru Humpy stored it quick and fashionable as she spoke about creating new historical past for her nation at Batumi, Georgia. On Sunday, Humpy turned the
first ever ladies’s chess participant from India to achieve the semi-finals of a FIDE World Cup as she defeated Worldwide Grasp Yuxin Tune from China 1.5-0.5.

The 38-year-old Humpy got here into the second Classical sport of the quarter-finals on Sunday with a 1-0 lead, having gained the opening contest. To remain alive within the contest, Tune, who was taking part in with the White items, opted for a Jobava London system. Nevertheless, Humpy did effectively to sort out the opening strikes.

On transfer 14, Humpy took practically half an hour to judge a daring and utterly voluntary double pawn sacrifice, in search of substantial positional compensation. Her plan would go away her opponent saddled with two clusters of weak pawns, together with a uncommon formation of tripled, remoted pawns.

Humpy displays on history-making feat

Tune tried to enhance her construction whereas holding on to the additional materials, however the place was too advanced—the danger outweighed the reward. Ultimately, materials parity was restored, and the gamers agreed to a draw.

“It feels completely happy to qualify with out taking part in tie-breaks,” Humpy stated after the match. “I felt I might have performed a lot better in the present day, I used to be in a a lot better place, however slipped out within the time bother.”

Let’s cheer for our Telugu daughter shining brightly on the worldwide stage.

Congratulations to Grandmaster Koneru Humpy on turning into the primary Indian lady to achieve the FIDE World Cup semifinals.

Your achievement fills us with satisfaction and evokes numerous others throughout the nation.… pic.twitter.com/JSDtzI7dv5

— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) July 21, 2025

The Padma Shri awardee shall be dealing with GM Lei Tingjie within the semi-finals after the Chinese language defeated Georgia’s Nana Dzagnidze 2-0.

“I’ll relaxation for a while and I may also put together, as it will likely be very tough. She is likely one of the strongest opponents and the highest seed,” Humpy stated whereas reflecting on her subsequent match.

“Every spherical has a variety of course of, you aren’t certain till you win it.”

Speaking about how she unwinds throughout a high-pressure match just like the World Cup, the two-time Girls’s World Fast Chess champion Humpy stated: “Normally I am going for lengthy walks, particularly right here at seaside aspect. The climate can also be advantageous, it’s extra like India.”