Indian chess star Koneru Humpy claimed a hard-fought victory at the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2024-25 in Pune, securing the title over China’s Zhu Jiner by virtue of superior tie-breaks.
Final Round Drama Seals the Deal
The tension was high in the final round as both Humpy and Jiner entered the day tied at six points. Humpy held her nerve and defeated Bulgarian Nurgyul Salimova, while Jiner overcame Russia’s Polina Shuvalova to also reach seven points. However, it was Humpy’s consistent performance across the tournament that ultimately gave her the edge.
FIDE confirmed the outcome on social media, writing on X: “Humpy Koneru and Zhu Jiner both won their final round games and ended the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix tied for first, but it’s Humpy who takes the top spot thanks to superior tiebreaks!”
Indian Players Make a Strong Impression
While Humpy stole the spotlight, other Indian players made their presence felt. R Vaishali drew her final game against Georgia’s Salome Melia, and Divya Deshmukh also split points with Poland’s top-ranked Alina Kashlinskaya. Dronavalli Harika wrapped up her campaign with a draw against Mongolia’s Munguntuul Batkhuyag.
The Pune leg added another feather to Humpy’s cap after she reclaimed the Women’s World Rapid Chess Championship in New York late last year, ending a five-year title drought. Her resurgence in international chess continues to inspire rising talents on the Indian circuit.
What This Win Means for Indian Chess
Koneru Humpy’s win comes at a crucial time, as interest in Indian chess grows amid shifting market trends in sports viewership and sponsorship. Much like the Nifty index reflects the broader financial market sentiment, Humpy’s victory signals a rally in Indian chess on the global stage—similar to how a bank rally or surging auto stocks can uplift investor morale.
Her consistent form and clutch performance under pressure are setting a benchmark for Indian players in the world chess arena, making this win more than just a title—it’s a momentum builder for what’s to come.