The prestigious FIDE Candidates Tournament and the Women's Candidates Tournament are scheduled to begin on March 28 in Cyprus. Despite recent security concerns in the region, the global chess governing body has confirmed that both tournaments will go ahead as planned.

However, Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy is expected to withdraw from the Women’s Candidates due to safety concerns following recent geopolitical developments.

Security Concerns After Drone Attack in Region

Cyprus was officially selected as the host venue for the Candidates tournaments in November last year by FIDE. But the situation in the region has become tense after military strikes by the United States and Israel targeted Iran.

On March 1, a drone attack struck a British air base near the Mediterranean region. The incident raised questions about the safety of hosting a major international event in Cyprus.

Currently, European naval forces and Turkish fighter jets are providing security around the Mediterranean island. Even so, many observers have questioned whether the island is the right place to organise such an important tournament during the ongoing tensions.

The Candidates tournament is a crucial event because it determines the challenger for the world title.

FIDE Says Tournament Plans Remain Unchanged

Emil Sutovsky, the chief executive officer of FIDE, confirmed that the organisation has no plans to move the tournament from Cyprus.

Speaking to ChessBase India, Sutovsky said the preparations for the event are in their final stage and that the governing body is closely watching the situation.

“Our plans have not changed. We are in the final stages of preparing the Candidates’ Tournament. Of course, we are monitoring the situation. Cyprus is not too far from, let’s say, the war zone or conflict zone, but at the same time, it is not directly involved in any way and is not in a state of war,” Sutovsky said.

Koneru Humpy Criticises Decision

Koneru Humpy, one of India’s top chess players, has strongly criticised the decision to proceed with the event in the current circumstances. She is one of three Indian players who qualified for the Women’s Candidates tournament. The others are Divya Deshmukh and R Vaishali.

Humpy believes travelling near West Asia right now could be risky because of the ongoing conflict.

“It just doesn’t make any sense. It’s dangerous to travel anywhere near West Asia at this point when there’s so much tension and uncertainty,” Koneru Humpy told Hindustan Times. “The war started around a fortnight ago, it’s still ongoing and the tournament is less than two weeks away. I don’t think any official body would dare host an event in the region at this point.”

Calls for FIDE to Reconsider Schedule

Humpy also criticised the chess governing body for sticking to the original schedule even after the conflict escalated.

“From an organisational point of view, it’s just not the right call. It’s one of the most crucial tournaments and you have just 16 top players (combining Open and Women) to think of, why not look at alternatives and different dates? As someone who’s spent decades in chess, I thought I should speak up. Irrespective of whether you’re a champion or not if you can’t speak up when the situation so demands, it means that you’ve learnt nothing from sport.”

Indian Interest in the Candidates Tournament

India will still have representation in the main Candidates event. Young Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa is the only Indian player competing in the open Candidates tournament.

The winner of the competition will earn the right to challenge reigning world champion D Gukesh for the World Chess Championship title.