India, Dec. 30 -- Following a challenging and unproductive period spanning several months, the newly-crowned women's world rapid champion from India, 37-year-old Koneru Humpy, has found renewed motivation in her pursuit of excellence. In a recent interview with HT, the world No. 6 discussed her struggles with motivation, her decision to train without engines for the tournament, and the pride she felt as her seven-year-old daughter secured a gold medal on the same day.

Excerpts:

Congratulations on your remarkable second-world rapid title. You faced a setback in the first round. How do you account for such a significant comeback?

Over the past 8-9 months, I encountered failures in every tournament I participated in, which left me feeling quite disheartened and even contemplating retirement. However, I resolved that if I were to step away, I would not do so as a failure. I aimed to demonstrate my capabilities. Consequently, I approached this tournament with high ambition and dedicated a month to rigorous training.

How do you approach rapid chess, and in what ways does your preparation differ? It appears you have developed a stronger preference for shorter formats in recent years.

I typically exhibit a more solid style in classical chess. However, for this event, I was prepared to take risks. For the past month, I consciously avoided using engines, focusing instead on practical training methods such as solving puzzles, engaging in numerous training games, and participating in random online matches. Additionally, I watched videos of past world champions, analyzing their games and understanding the rationale behind their strategic decisions, including piece placement in critical positions and the disruption of pawn structures.

During my childhood, I indeed achieved victories in national rapid tournaments; however, I was somewhat of a seasonal player in both rapid and blitz formats. In classical chess, I consistently performed at a high level without any significant decline. Conversely, my performance in rapid and blitz events lacked consistency, with only occasional strong showings. This inconsistency posed a considerable challenge. In recent years, I have seen improvement in these formats, and last year, I secured a silver medal, coming very close to winning the title. I am uncertain about the factors contributing to this success; had I understood them better, I would have leveraged them more effectively.

You mentioned the difficulty of maintaining motivation at this stage of your career. Does this recent success provide any encouragement?

Indeed, motivation has been a significant hurdle. Additionally, with age, one’s reflexes may not be as sharp, which can lead to a disadvantage. However, I managed to overcome this challenge here, as I was able to identify the best possible solutions even within fractions of a second. After the age of 35, an athlete's career typically begins to decline, regardless of the sport. Although chess is primarily a mental discipline, performance levels can still diminish. Competing against participants who are often half my age and achieving victories is undoubtedly special and serves as a motivation for me to intensify my efforts in chess.

How do you perceive your goals at this point in your career? Do you feel any regret about not winning a classical title?

Essentially, I do not wish to pursue anything aggressively. My primary focus is on playing quality chess. If success in tournaments or titles comes as a result of my efforts, I would certainly welcome it. However, what matters most to me is delivering the level of chess that is expected of me.

Regarding classical chess, I have secured bronze medals three times in the knockout World Championship. In several matches, I found myself in strong winning positions but ultimately fell short. Such occurrences are part of the nature of sports.

At this point in my life, I find it challenging to strike a balance between my family responsibilities and my career. This often leads to feelings of frustration. I desire to spend quality time with my child, yet I have tournaments that require travel and training. The effort to accommodate both aspects of my life can sometimes lead to feelings of deep sadness. Victories bring joy, but the absence of wins can be particularly hard to endure, prompting me to question the value of being away from my family while facing challenges in competitions.

How did you navigate through that difficult period, and who do you typically rely on during moments of self-doubt?

I believe that a strong sense of determination within me has prevented me from giving up. I have always aimed to leave chess on a positive note, cherishing beautiful memories rather than departing under unfavourable circumstances. I am not particularly close to other players and have not shared my struggles with them. I participate in tournaments and return home, where I fully engage with my family. My father is usually the one with whom I discuss my chess experiences, along with my husband, both of whom provide unwavering support.

Your daughter Ahana is now seven. How did she respond to your recent victory?

She was extremely delighted. Interestingly, just yesterday, she also secured a gold medal in an abacus competition. When I called her in the morning, the first thing she wanted to show me was her gold medal and certificate bearing her name.

What is your perspective on the emerging group of female players in India?

Vaishali, Divya, and Vantika have shown notable progress. However, I believe they must strive for even greater heights. They have been facing challenges in the rating range of 2450 to 2500. To become formidable contenders for world titles, they must elevate their ratings significantly.

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