'Would you conduct events in Kashmir?', Koneru Humpy questions FIDE, withdraws from Candidates 2026

With the Women’s Candidates 2026 set to be held in Cyprus, Koneru Humpy withdrew from the tournament over safety concerns and questioned FIDE’s decision. She pointed out that Cyprus, located near the ongoing Gulf conflict, carries the same Level 3 travel advisory as Jammu and Kashmir. The event determines the challenger for the Women’s World Championship, making her absence a major talking point.

Speaking to the Times of India, Humpy said, "I think decisions like this should take into account not just logistics, but also how players feel. Level 3 Travel Advisory issued by the US and UK Department of State urging travellers to reconsider travel to Cyprus in light of the ongoing tensions and the recent drone attack, I do not feel this can be a sporting venue for such a world-class tournament."

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Humpy questions choice of venue

Koneru Humpy questioned whether FIDE was truly considering players’ concerns over the venue, stating that Cyprus may not be suitable for a world-class tournament in the current situation. She remarked, “If they feel (Cyprus) is right, they should also conduct tournaments in places like Jammu & Kashmir, which is also considered as Level 3. We do have beautiful locations, lavish resorts, hotels… is that what we need for a chess tournament?”

Speaking earlier to the Hindustan Times, she shared,"At the end of the day, life is bigger than sport.”

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Following her withdrawal, FIDE named Anna Muzychuk as her replacement. The tournament lineup now includes R Vaishali, Divya Deshmukh, Zhu Jiner, Aleksandra Goryachkina, Tan Zhongyi, Kateryna Lagno, and Bibisara Assaubayeva.

Meanwhile, Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura also raised concerns about the venue on X, pointing to recent power outages in Cyprus. However, FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky has maintained that the venue will not be changed, stating that Cyprus is not directly involved in the conflict.