Koneru Humpy reflects on challenges and triumphs after winning women's world rapid chess title

Koneru Humpy, the newly crowned women's world rapid chess champion, discussed her recent struggles and triumphs in an interview. After months of disappointing performances, she trained hard and focused on practical skills, leading to her victory despite a first-round loss. Humpy emphasized the challenges of staying motivated as an older competitor in chess. She noted that while age can affect performance, her recent win has reignited her determination to improve and enjoy the game without the pressure of chasing titles. Her daughter, Ahana, also celebrated a gold medal win on the same day, adding to Humpy's joy. Humpy acknowledged the need for younger Indian players to improve their ratings to become strong contenders for world titles.