India’s year in chess became even better on Sunday with Koneru Humpy doing the country proud with a historic second world title in rapid chess, when she won the World Rapid Chess Championship by defeating Indonesia’s Irene Sukandar.
Humpy, who previously won the title in 2019 in Georgia, joins China’s Ju Wenjun as the only players to secure multiple championships in this format.
Humpy’s triumph adds to India’s remarkable chess achievements this year, following D Gukesh’s victory over China’s Ding Liren in the classical format World Championship in Singapore.
Throughout her career, Humpy has demonstrated consistent excellence in Rapid championships, securing a bronze medal at the 2012 Moscow event and a silver medal last year in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The Indian No. 1, aged 37, accumulated 8.5 points from 11 rounds to secure her victory.
In the men’s category, Russia’s Volodar Murzin, aged 18, claimed the championship.
Murzin’s victory places him as the second-youngest FIDE World Rapid Champion, following Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who won at age 17.
