NEW DELHI: The air is still full of anticipation as to whether Konro Hampi will participate in the upcoming Women’s Candidates, which begins on March 28 at the Cape St. George’s Hotel and Resort in Pegeia, Cyprus.While TimesofIndia.com has already confirmed. With three other participants in R Praganananda, R Vaishali, and Divya Deshmukh traveling to Cyprus for the tournament, Hampi on Wednesday once again reiterated his concerns about the trip to Cyprus amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Of X, she wrote, “I know that alone, I probably can’t change anything. But regardless of whether I play in the candidates or not, I feel it’s important to express what I truly feel.”“I am truly grateful to everyone who has shown their support. For those who cannot understand the sensitivity of this situation, I choose to leave it at that,” she added.While uncertainty remains, Hampi’s potential withdrawal may not only be about missing out on candidates, the only gateway to the World Championship match, but could also have major financial implications.Section 3.5 of FIDE’s “FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026 Regulations” states that “players who fail to provide a satisfactory reason for withdrawal after signing the player’s contract may be fined up to ten thousand (10,000) Euros” which is over one million rupees. However, the final decision on the amount, or whether it should be imposed at all, will be taken by the FIDE Council.Speaking to TOI about Hampi’s concerns, FIDE CEO Emil Sutowski had said, “We have discussed the issue with Hampi and agreed on a date by which it will make a final decision. It was in good spirit, and FIDE will not comment on the exact date, but it is fair and proper for both Hampi and itself.”It is understood that Hampi’s camp will make a decision on whether to travel to Cyprus by next Monday.According to FIDE regulations, if the 38-year-old veteran grandmaster (GM) does not travel, Ukraine’s Anna Mozychak will be called as a replacement.
Anna Muzyczak (Photo by Norwegian Chess/Michael Walsza)
Muzychuk, a two-time World Blitz Champion and one-time World Rapid Champion, will qualify under FIDE Section 2.2, which states: “If a substitution is required, the place shall be awarded to the next not yet qualified player(s) of the ‘FIDE Women’s Events 2024-25’.” Despite being ninth on the leaderboard, Muzychuk stands to gain as all players above him have already qualified.
A blow to Indian Chess ?
Hampi qualified for the Women’s Candidates 2026 after finishing runners-up in the 2025 Women’s World Cup. Veteran grandmaster and coach GM Shyam Sunder Mohanraj, who headed the Indian team’s delegation to Batumi during the World Cup, feels his withdrawal will be a “blow to Indian chess”.“Definitely, it will be a blow for Indian chess (if she doesn’t go.) But at the same time, we just hope that all the disputes or whatever is happening, will be resolved soon, because till the last moment, we don’t know,” Shyam told this website.“Whatever Hampi feels about participating, it is her own personal choice… Being present at the FIDE Women’s World Cup, I personally saw the hard work put in by all the players, as the tie-break, especially, was mentally and physically exhausting.”Apart from Hampi, Vaishali and Divya will play in the women’s candidates, while Praganandha will be India’s sole representative in the open section.“They’ve put in a lot of energy, made a lot of sacrifices, and shown a lot of mental toughness to qualify for an event like this. It’s a painful process,” he added.Also read: Mother Quits Job, Son Makes History: How 16-Year-Old Mayank Chakraborty Became Northeast’s First GM“Some things are out of our control, and it looks like other players are participating. It’s their personal choice and their priority at the moment. But I hope everything will be resolved soon.”
