Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy secured a bronze medal at the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Rapid Chess Championship in Doha, Qatar, on 28 December.
Entering as the defending champion, Humpy finished with 8.5 points from 11 rounds, tying for the top spot with Aleksandra Goryachkina and Zhu Jiner. However, FIDE’s tie-breaker rules placed her third, while Goryachkina won gold after a blitz play-off.
Simultaneously, Arjun Erigaisi claimed bronze in the Open section, marking a historic double podium for India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded their achievements, highlighting the growing dominance of Indian talent on the global chess stage.
FIDE World Rapid Championship
The FIDE World Rapid Championship is an elite annual event that crowns the world’s best in fast-paced chess, where players have only 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment per move. Hosted at the Qatar University Sports Complex, the 2025 edition featured over 140 women and 250 open-category players.
This tournament is celebrated as the “spectacular finale” of the chess calendar. For India, it was a landmark year as Arjun Erigaisi became only the second Indian man after Viswanathan Anand to reach the podium, while Humpy maintained her status as one of the most consistent rapid players in history.
Koneru Humpy Wins Bronze
Koneru Humpy’s bronze in Doha adds to a legendary cabinet of rapid titles. She previously won the World Rapid gold in 2019 (Batumi) and 2024 (New York), making her one of only two women, alongside Ju Wenjun, to hold multiple such crowns.
Her 2025 campaign was characteristically resilient; she remained unbeaten throughout the 11 rounds. Despite a final-round draw against compatriot Savitha Shri Baskar that narrowly cost her a third gold, Humpy’s career spans over two decades of excellence.
Her consistency remains the gold standard for aspiring Indian athletes, proving that longevity and skill go hand in hand.
Other Winners
The 2025 championship witnessed historic performances across both categories. In the Open section, Norwegian maestro Magnus Carlsen dominated the field to claim his sixth World Rapid title, finishing a full point ahead of his competitors.
Russian GM Vladislav Artemiev took the silver, while India’s Arjun Erigaisi made history by becoming only the second Indian male player to reach the podium with a bronze.
In the Women’s section, Aleksandra Goryachkina clinched her maiden rapid crown after defeating China’s Zhu Jiner in a tense blitz play-off, leaving the legendary Humpy with the bronze medal due to tie-breaker scores.
Accolades from PM
Following the podium finishes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally commended the Indian grandmasters for their remarkable consistency.
In a post on X, he wrote, “Congratulations to Koneru Humpy, who finished strongly at the 2025 FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship in Doha, securing the Bronze medal. Her dedication towards the game is commendable.”
The PM also praised Arjun Erigaisi’s “noteworthy grit,” stating that his success is a moment of pride for the entire nation. Such high-level recognition underscores the shifting focus toward non-cricketing sports and the government’s support for the rising “golden generation” of Indian chess players.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe Humpy’s journey is a masterclass in persistence and grace. In an era where the sporting spotlight often misses intellectual discipline, her success reminds us that brilliance takes many forms.
Her bronze is a victory for every young girl in India dreaming of conquering a male-dominated field. As we celebrate this “golden age” of Indian chess, we must ensure our support for these icons matches their dedication.
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