Champion Koneru Humpy Calls for More Women's Chess Tournaments

Former World Rapid Chess champion Koneru Humpy emphasizes the need for more women's tournaments and nurturing young female talents to develop future chess prodigies. Highlighting the lack of female players compared to the men's game, she cites China as an example of consistent talent cultivation. Despite the pandemic, chess thrived online, boosting young Indian players' exposure. Humpy also discusses balancing motherhood with her career.

Former World Rapid Chess champion Koneru Humpy believes India's chess federation should increase the number of women's tournaments and actively nurture young talents to cultivate future female prodigies. She highlighted the disparity in the number of female players as compared to their male counterparts, who have recently surged in popularity.

Humpy referenced China's consistent cultivation of chess talent as a model to follow. She commented on the resilience of chess during the COVID-19 pandemic, which gained a lot of traction through online tournaments, providing much-needed exposure for young Indian players.

On a personal note, Humpy spoke about the challenges of balancing her career with motherhood, yet emphasized the lessons she's learned from this balancing act. She will next be seen competing in the Global Chess League and other international events.

(With inputs from agencies.)