Indian Chess Star Humpy Threatens to Pull Out of Candidates Over Iran War Safety Concerns
Image Source: Internet
Bengaluru: Indian chess star Koneru Humpy has expressed her concerns over the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran and has threatened to pull out of the Women's Candidates tournament scheduled in Cyprus later this month.
Humpy, a two-time world rapid champion, said that the current situation in West Asia makes it dangerous to travel to Cyprus, and she doesn't think any official body would dare host an event in the region at this point.
The US-Israel attacks on Iran and subsequent retaliatory strikes have put the country on alert, and Cyprus has been on high alert following a drone attack on a British air base in the island nation.
Humpy has reached out to the world chess body Fide expressing her concerns over the safety of the tournament, but Fide's response was that they're monitoring the situation on a day-to-day basis.
Humpy, who has been following the news closely and speaking to family and friends, said that she doesn't think it makes sense to risk herself to play one tournament, especially when it's her last chance to qualify for the Candidates.
She has her flight ticket to Cyprus ready so she can travel if tensions ease, but at this point, it doesn't seem like the situation is getting any better.
