Just before the start of the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026, scheduled to take place from March 28 to April 16 in Cyprus, Koneru Humpy announced her withdrawal. The decision came amid growing safety concerns linked to regional tensions and the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

On March 22, 2026, FIDE confirmed Humpy’s withdrawal, which she attributed to personal safety and well-being. “No event, no matter how important, can come before personal safety and well-being. Despite the assurances provided, I do not feel fully secure under the current circumstances,” Humpy stated.

Humpy had qualified for the tournament by finishing as the runner-up at the 2025 Women’s World Cup, making her absence significant. The tournament is crucial as it determines the challenger for the Women’s World Championship.

In her place, Anna Muzychuk will compete in the tournament, ensuring that there will still be representation from India through players R Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh.

The Cyprus Chess Federation expressed disappointment over Humpy’s decision. Criton Tornaritis, President of the Federation, criticized her comments regarding safety in Cyprus, stating, “As President of the Cyprus Chess Federation, I am sincerely disappointed by Koneru Humpy’s decision to withdraw, citing that Cyprus ‘is not safe.’” Tornaritis further remarked, “It was a bad move.”

Humpy’s decision reflects broader concerns about safety in the region, which have been heightened due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The situation has raised questions about the viability of hosting international events in areas perceived as unsafe.

As the tournament approaches, the chess community is left to navigate the implications of Humpy’s withdrawal. Her absence from such a prestigious event underscores the challenges faced by athletes when personal safety is at stake.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific safety measures that will be implemented during the tournament to ensure the well-being of the participants.

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Ashutosh Maharaj was attacked on the morning of March 8, 2026, while traveling from Ghaziabad to Prayagraj in a moving train. The incident occurred around 5 AM when an assailant allegedly attempted to cut Maharaj’s nose with a sharp weapon.

During the attack, Maharaj sustained serious injuries and lost a considerable amount of blood. In a desperate attempt to save his life, he managed to escape and locked himself inside the train’s toilet. Following the incident, he contacted the Government Railway Police (GRP) to report the attack.

An FIR was subsequently registered based on Maharaj’s complaint. He has accused Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand and his disciple Mukundanand of orchestrating the attack. Maharaj stated, “Every drop of blood would be avenged through legal means,” emphasizing his intent to seek justice.

In response to the allegations, Shankaracharya rejected the claims, labeling the incident as a mere drama. Maharaj countered this assertion, stating, “It was absurd to suggest that someone would stage an attack on themselves.” He also revealed that the attacker had expressed intentions to cut his nose and offer it at the feet of his ‘guru’.

The GRP has initiated an investigation into the matter, aiming to uncover the truth behind the attack. Observers are closely monitoring the situation, as the implications of this incident could extend beyond personal grievances to broader issues of safety and accountability within spiritual communities.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the motivations behind the attack and the relationship between the involved parties. The unfolding events highlight the tensions surrounding Ashutosh Maharaj and his allegations against Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand, particularly a previous FIR he had filed alleging sexual harassment of batuks against the latter.

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