India’s celebrated chess player Koneru Humpy narrowly missed winning the FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship, settling for the bronze medal after an intense finish at the global event. Humpy came agonisingly close to clinching a historic third world rapid title but was edged out on tie-breaks despite being among the top scorers.
The tournament saw Humpy display remarkable consistency and composure throughout. She finished with 8.5 points, tying with the top contenders in the women’s section. However, official tie-break criteria pushed her to third place, earning her the bronze medal. A draw in the final round proved decisive, denying her a chance to move ahead outright and make history. Humpy is already a two-time world rapid champion, and her latest performance once again highlighted her stature as one of India’s most dependable performers on the international chess stage.
In the Open category, India had another reason to celebrate as Arjun Erigaisi also secured a bronze medal. Erigaisi delivered a strong and fearless campaign against some of the world’s best players, finishing just behind the top two. His podium finish adds to India’s growing reputation as a global chess powerhouse and marks another major milestone in his rising career.
Following the achievements, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated both players for making the country proud. In his message, the Prime Minister praised their determination, skill, and fighting spirit, and said their success reflects India’s growing strength in world chess. He also wished them continued success in future tournaments, including the upcoming World Blitz Championship.
The double podium finish by Humpy and Erigaisi underlines India’s depth and consistency in elite chess across generations. While the narrow miss may have been disappointing for Humpy, her performance reaffirmed her place among the world’s best. For Erigaisi, the medal signals his steady rise at the highest level of the game.
As the championships move forward, Indian fans will once again look ahead with optimism, encouraged by the resilience and excellence shown by their top players on the global stage.
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