Koneru Humpy
Koneru Humpy, born on March 31, 1987, in Gudivada, Andhra Pradesh, India, is a highly distinguished Indian chess Grandmaster and a formidable figure in women's chess worldwide. Initially named "Hampi" by her parents in honor of the word "champion," her father later adjusted the spelling to "Humpy" to evoke a Russian feel. Recognized for her strategic understanding and exceptional endgame prowess, Humpy's chess journey began at an early age, coached by her father, Koneru Ashok, according to Kids encyclopedia facts. She quickly rose through the ranks, demonstrating her exceptional talent and fierce fighting spirit. In 2002, at just 15 years old, she shattered records by becoming the youngest female player in the world – and the first Indian woman – to achieve the coveted Grandmaster title, a record since surpassed only by Hou Yifan.
Humpy boasts an impressive list of accolades and accomplishments throughout her illustrious career, including:
- Reaching the semifinals of the Women's World Chess Championship on multiple occasions.
- Claiming the Women's World Rapid Chess Championship title twice, in 2019 and again in 2024.
- Winning the Skolkovo Women's Grand Prix in 2019.
- Securing the Cairns Cup in 2020.
- Leading India to a gold medal at the FIDE Online Chess Olympiad in 2020 and a bronze in 2021.
- Earning a bronze medal at the 44th Chess Olympiad in 2022.
- Achieving a peak rating of 2623 in July 2009, ranking her among the top female players globally.
- Receiving the Padma Shri award, one of India's highest civilian honors.
Beyond her extraordinary achievements on the chessboard, Humpy's influence extends to inspiring a new generation of Indian women in chess. Her perseverance, discipline, and strategic brilliance continue to leave a lasting impact on the sport, establishing her as one of the most formidable and respected figures in the world of chess. Humpy married Dasari Anvesh in 2014 and has a daughter named Ahana, born in 2017. She has also been employed by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) since 2016.
