World Blitz Chess Championship: Koneru Humpy Eyeing A Grand Double

Having achieved the monumental feat of successful the World Rapid chess title for a second time, Indian stalwart Koneru Humpy could be eyeing a grand double when the FIDE World Blitz Championship commences on Tuesday. Humpy had on Sunday capped an exquisite yr for Indian chess, defeating Irene Sukandar of Indonesia to emerge the FIDE Women’s World Rapid Chess champion. The Indian had received the occasion again in 2019 at Georgia and, on Sunday, grew to become solely the second participant after China’s Ju Wenjun to clinch the title a second time.

At stake is not only the title however an opportunity to win one other USD 60,000 (round Rs 50 lakhs) cheque because the Blitz championship carries the identical prize cash as Rapid.

The robust Indian contingent is equipped for the championship that can have 13 rounds within the ‘Open’ class and 11 within the girls’s part.

Another Indian, Dronavalli Harika can also be a formidable drive in Blitz, however the followers could be hoping for an improved efficiency from R Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh, each of whom didn’t impress within the Rapid occasion.

In the ‘Open’ part, Magnus Carlsen, who was disqualified from the Rapid occasion following a costume code saga, begins because the overwhelming favorite.

But the likes of India’s R Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi, France’s Alireza Froujza and Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov can all give the Norwegian a run for his cash.

Erigaisi, who missed the chance to win the Rapid title which was received by 18 year-old Volodar Murzin of Russia, should combat it throughout for a spot within the 2026 Candidates event.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)