<p>New York: Having achieved the monumental feat of winning the World Rapid chess title for a second time, Indian stalwart Koneru Humpy would be eyeing a grand double when the FIDE World Blitz Championship commences here on Tuesday.</p>.<p>Humpy had on Sunday capped a wonderful year for Indian chess, defeating Irene Sukandar of Indonesia to emerge the FIDE Women's World Rapid Chess champion.</p>.<p>The Indian had won the event back in 2019 at Georgia and, on Sunday, became only the second player after China's Ju Wenjun to clinch the title a second time.</p>.<p>At stake is not just the title but a chance to win another $60,000 (around Rs 50 lakhs) cheque as the Blitz championship carries the same prize money as Rapid.</p>.Koneru Humpy becomes 2024 FIDE Women’s World Rapid Champion.<p>The strong Indian contingent is geared up for the championship that will have 13 rounds in the 'Open' category and 11 in the women's section.</p>.<p>Another Indian, Dronavalli Harika is also a formidable force in Blitz, but the fans would be hoping for an improved performance from R Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh, both of whom failed to impress in the Rapid event.</p>.<p>In the 'Open' section, Magnus Carlsen, who was disqualified from the Rapid event following a dress code saga, starts as the overwhelming favourite.</p>.<p>But the likes of India's R Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi, France's Alireza Froujza and Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Abdusattorov can all give the Norwegian a run for his money.</p>.<p>Erigaisi, who missed the opportunity to win the Rapid title which was won by 18 year-old Volodar Murzin of Russia, will have to fight it all over for a place in the 2026 Candidates tournament.</p>
<p>New York: Having achieved the monumental feat of winning the World Rapid chess title for a second time, Indian stalwart Koneru Humpy would be eyeing a grand double when the FIDE World Blitz Championship commences here on Tuesday.</p>.<p>Humpy had on Sunday capped a wonderful year for Indian chess, defeating Irene Sukandar of Indonesia to emerge the FIDE Women's World Rapid Chess champion.</p>.<p>The Indian had won the event back in 2019 at Georgia and, on Sunday, became only the second player after China's Ju Wenjun to clinch the title a second time.</p>.<p>At stake is not just the title but a chance to win another $60,000 (around Rs 50 lakhs) cheque as the Blitz championship carries the same prize money as Rapid.</p>.Koneru Humpy becomes 2024 FIDE Women’s World Rapid Champion.<p>The strong Indian contingent is geared up for the championship that will have 13 rounds in the 'Open' category and 11 in the women's section.</p>.<p>Another Indian, Dronavalli Harika is also a formidable force in Blitz, but the fans would be hoping for an improved performance from R Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh, both of whom failed to impress in the Rapid event.</p>.<p>In the 'Open' section, Magnus Carlsen, who was disqualified from the Rapid event following a dress code saga, starts as the overwhelming favourite.</p>.<p>But the likes of India's R Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi, France's Alireza Froujza and Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Abdusattorov can all give the Norwegian a run for his money.</p>.<p>Erigaisi, who missed the opportunity to win the Rapid title which was won by 18 year-old Volodar Murzin of Russia, will have to fight it all over for a place in the 2026 Candidates tournament.</p>