Safety Concerns Over Cyprus Candidates
Safety Concerns Shadow Cyprus Candidates
With just days until the 2026 Candidates Tournament is scheduled to begin at the Cap St Georges Resort in Pegeia, Cyprus, a growing chorus of players has voiced serious safety concerns. The catalyst was a drone strike on a British air base in Cyprus on March 1, followed by military mobilisation in the Eastern Mediterranean as a wider conflict between Israel, the US, and Iran escalated. Now, one of India’s top grandmasters has publicly questioned whether she will participate at all—and she is not alone.
Koneru Humpy, the Indian grandmaster and two‑time Women’s World Rapid Champion, has been the most vocal critic. In an interview with The Hindustan Times, she did not mince words:
The war she refers to erupted after US and Israeli forces launched military strikes on Iran beginning February 28, 2026. The conflict has since drawn in regional proxies, and the eastern Mediterranean has become a corridor of military activity. On March 1, a drone struck a British air base in Cyprus—a direct hit on the island that escalated fears of the conflict spreading.
Humpy questioned the organisers’ judgment: “From an organisational point of view, it is just not the right call. It is 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?”
The global chess federation, FIDE, has rejected calls to move the tournament. CEO Emil Sutovsky has been the public face of the organisation’s defence, giving interviews to ChessBase India and other outlets.
Sutovsky added: “We firmly believe that the current situation provides no grounds or reasonable reasons to postpone the date or move the tournament from Cyprus. Could something happen? Possibly. But at the moment, we don’t see anything even remotely dangerous enough to consider moving it.”
Sutovsky also emphasised the Cypriot government’s commitment, noting that the President of Cyprus is scheduled to personally open the tournament on March 28. “This event is not just some chess tournament in Cyprus. The government fully understands the status of this event and its importance.”
The situation has drawn uncomfortable comparisons to the 2020 Candidates Tournament in Yekaterinburg, Russia. That event was held at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, despite players’ concerns. Teimour Radjabov withdrew before the tournament began, citing safety fears. FIDE replaced him at the last minute with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave.
The tournament began, but after seven rounds, Russia suspended all international air travel, and the event was halted for over a year. When it resumed, Vachier-Lagrave—whom no one had prepared for—finished joint first alongside Ian Nepomniachtchi. The Frenchman had never even qualified for the event.
— The Indian Express
If Humpy withdraws, the likely replacement would be Anna Muzychuk, the Ukrainian grandmaster who finished next in line in the qualification standings.
Humpy is not alone. According to a Chess.com blog post, Hikaru Nakamura has also publicly voiced concerns about the Cyprus venue. The report cites “a blackout and nearby geopolitical tensions” as factors that have made the American grandmaster uneasy about the location.
While Nakamura has not elaborated extensively in public statements, his reported concerns add weight to the sense that multiple top players are questioning the wisdom of proceeding. Ian Nepomniachtchi himself warned about the danger of last‑minute replacements:
The turning point for many players appears to have been the drone attack on a British air base in Cyprus on March 1. The base, located in the sovereign British territory of Akrotiri, is a strategic installation used for operations in the Middle East. The strike—whether a warning shot or a miscalculation—brought the war uncomfortably close to the island.
Since then, European warships and Turkish fighter jets have been deployed to patrol the waters around Cyprus. The island is now under a heightened state of alert, with military assets visible from the coastline.
Travel logistics have also become complicated. Disruptions affecting flight routes through Middle Eastern hubs have forced some players to find alternative routes via European cities such as London, Vienna, or Frankfurt. Sutovsky confirmed that FIDE is prepared to cover additional costs to ensure all players and key personnel can reach the venue.
India has a strong presence in the Women’s Candidates: Humpy, Divya Deshmukh, and Vaishali Rameshbabu. If Humpy withdraws, it would leave a significant gap not only in the field but also in India’s medal hopes. Deshmukh and Vaishali would continue, but the absence of their senior compatriot would alter team dynamics and preparation.
In the Open section, R Praggnanandhaa is India’s sole representative. He has not publicly commented on the safety situation, but his presence in Cyprus will be closely watched if the tournament proceeds.
The coming days are critical. FIDE has stated it will continue monitoring the situation daily. The organisation has prepared contingency plans for a range of scenarios, though it insists that relocating the event is not currently under consideration.
For Humpy, the decision will be personal. “You should be in a position to play the game in a peaceful and a good atmosphere,” she said. “Not surrounded by bomb or missile sirens.”
Whether other players share her resolve to stay home, or decide to trust FIDE’s assurances, will become clear in the days ahead. One thing is certain: the 2026 Candidates Tournament, already freighted with sporting significance, will now also be remembered for the questions it raised about where—and under what conditions—the game’s highest honours should be contested.
— Humpy Koneru
Comments
Post a Comment