Koneru Humpy Biography

 Koneru Humpy is an Indian chess Grandmaster and former Women's World Chess Champion. She was born on March 31, 1987, in Gudivada, Andhra Pradesh, India. Humpy displayed a prodigious talent for chess from a young age and quickly rose through the ranks to become one of India's most prominent chess players.

Humpy's father, Koneru Ashok, recognized her talent and became her primary coach and mentor. Under his guidance, she achieved significant milestones in her chess career. At the age of 15, Humpy became the youngest woman ever to achieve the title of Grandmaster in 2002, breaking Judit Polgár's previous record.

In 2001, Humpy won the World Junior Girls Chess Championship, showcasing her potential on the international stage. She continued to achieve remarkable success in her career, winning multiple national and international championships. Humpy became a seven-time Indian Women's Chess Champion, winning the title in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2019.

Humpy's breakthrough came in 2011 when she won the Women's World Rapid Chess Championship, held in Astana, Kazakhstan. She followed this with another impressive performance in 2012, securing the Women's World Blitz Chess Championship. These victories established her as a force to be reckoned with in rapid and blitz chess formats.

However, Humpy's most significant achievement came in 2020 when she won the FIDE Women's World Chess Championship, held in Vladivostok, Russia. In a fiercely contested tournament, she emerged victorious, defeating Chinese player Ju Wenjun in the final. This victory made Humpy the second Indian woman to become Women's World Chess Champion, following in the footsteps of Vishwanathan Anand.

Humpy's playing style is known for its tactical sharpness and resourcefulness. She is particularly skilled in rapid and blitz chess, where her ability to calculate quickly and accurately often gives her an edge over opponents.

Throughout her career, Humpy has been a trailblazer for Indian women in chess. Her achievements have inspired a new generation of female chess players in the country and have helped elevate the profile of women's chess in India.

Koneru Humpy continues to compete at the highest level of chess, representing India in various international tournaments. Her dedication, skill, and passion for the game have solidified her status as one of the greatest women chess players in the world.