Koneru Humpy Wins Chess Gold, P. V. Sindhu Finishes Runner-Up at French Open

Koneru Humpy wins individual gold at the European Women’s Chess Club Cup, while P. V. Sindhu finishes runner-up at the 2026 French Open.

By News National Editorial Team

Indian sporting stars Koneru Humpy and P. V. Sindhu have delivered notable performances on the international stage, bringing recognition to Indian chess and badminton. Humpy won individual gold while helping Cercle d’Échecs de Monte-Carlo secure the women’s team title at the European Chess Club Cup 2026 in Montenegro. Sindhu, meanwhile, finished runner-up at the French Open badminton tournament after a spirited performance against South Korea’s world No. 1, An Se-young.

Their achievements have drawn praise for their dedication, resilience and contribution to Indian sport, providing encouragement to young athletes aspiring to compete at the highest level.

Koneru Humpy Shines at European Chess Club Cup

Grandmaster Koneru Humpy played a key role in Cercle d’Échecs de Monte-Carlo’s successful campaign at the 30th European Women’s Chess Club Cup, held in Budva, Montenegro, from October 17 to 23, 2026.

Monte-Carlo successfully defended its team title, finishing ahead of CE Gambit Bonnevoie on tiebreaks after both clubs recorded 12 match points. The championship was decided in the final round, when Monte-Carlo secured a 4–0 victory to clinch the gold medal.

Humpy also captured individual gold on Board 2, scoring 4.5 points from six games. Her performance helped strengthen the club’s position in a competitive tournament featuring leading players from across Europe and beyond.

The victory highlighted Humpy’s continuing importance in international chess. Her achievement also added to India’s strong showing at the event, where Indian grandmaster Nihal Sarin won individual gold on Board 2 in the Open section.

P. V. Sindhu Reaches French Open Final

Indian badminton star P. V. Sindhu finished second at the French Open Super 750 tournament after facing An Se-young in the women’s singles final on October 25 in France.

Sindhu made an impressive start, winning the opening game 21–16. However, the South Korean Olympic champion recovered strongly, taking the second game 21–11 and the deciding game 21–12 to secure the title.

Although Sindhu missed out on the championship, reaching her first French Open final was a significant achievement. Her campaign included victories over Japan’s Riko Gunji and Chinese Taipei’s Chiu Pin-chian, followed by a hard-fought semifinal win against Japan’s Hina Akechi.

The runner-up finish followed Sindhu’s title-winning performance at the Japan Open in July 2026. It demonstrated her ability to compete against the world’s leading players and maintain her presence among the sport’s elite.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Humpy and Sindhu have built their careers through years of training, discipline and competition at the highest level. Their performances illustrate the determination required to succeed in international sport, where even a narrow margin can decide the outcome of a championship.

Their journeys can inspire young girls to pursue their ambitions in chess, badminton and other sporting disciplines. Greater participation, access to training facilities, quality coaching and sustained support can help more young athletes develop their potential.

For India, the achievements are a reminder of the importance of investing in sporting talent and creating opportunities for athletes to compete internationally.

Humpy’s chess triumph and Sindhu’s French Open campaign offer two different examples of sporting excellence: one crowned with individual and team gold, the other marked by a determined run to a major final. Both performances deserve recognition as Indian athletes continue to make their mark on the global sporting stage.

Sources

• International Chess Federation (FIDE): European Chess Club Cup results

   

• European Chess Union: 2026 tournament results

   

• Akashvani News: Sindhu finishes runner-up at French Open