Deepika Pasham
Koneru Humpy, the youngest girl ever to achieve the title of Grandmaster at the age of 14 years in 2001, is among the gems of India. In an interview with The Pioneer’s Deepika Pasham, she narrates how her father refused to pay a donor fee for letting her participate in nationals and why retirement is out of question for her as long as she has the killing instinct to perform in chess.
First rejection
In 1994, while playing at the State level, I did not qualify for the nationals, but my friend’s parents paid a donor amount to let me participate at the national level. My father was stubborn in not paying any amount then because his intention was that if I do not qualify in the state, then what will I do at the nationals. The next year I qualified for the nationals.
Inspiration
It is Vishwanathan Anand, five-time World Chess Champion. But when it comes to me
personally, Judit Polgar from Hungary and Anatoly Karpov from Russia — the playing field is very much a question of proportional approach. The minor advantage is that he keeps on turning the positions. I have played with Magnus Carlsen, who is my current junior and made a few draws with him and also lost two or three games.
Playing with Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Yes, this was for the Olympiad launch and I had a great experience. In India, cricket is the
most popular sport and nowadays it is tennis, badminton. Chess being an indoor sport has been kept aside but for the first time the game got spotlight throughout the country.
Bonds with father
The first strict trainer was my father. He started playing when I won my games, so that he can be a better trainer and that encourages me even today. We enjoy family moments
when I do not practice; for instance, I dedicate four hours a day for my practice and later the whole day it is normal — father –bond with him. We discuss other things beyond chess.
No regrets for not completing academics
I have not even attempted my SSC board examination and I do not regret it because I received fame through this sport and if I were a regular student nobody would have recognised me. I am employed with the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) in sports quota and right now I am Chief Manager – HR. Although I did study, I would not have come this far so early.
A challenging year
There were several occasions when I faced challenges after becoming Grandmaster in 2002
— the year 2003 to 2004 remains the toughest because I was young and there used to be fluctuations in my game sometimes too high and other times too low, so as a teenager it was difficult to carry stress levels.
Exercise: mantra for peaceful mind
As the game depends on the functioning of my mind, I take out one hour for physical activity. I play badminton on some days, go to the gym and do a lot of skipping. This physically gives me a fresh mind.
A break in 2017: A sole traveler now
During my younger days, my father would travel with me as he was also my trainer. Till 2011, he was with me. After that, my mother used to accompany me. I got married in 2014 and in 2017 when my daughter was born I took a break of 1 year 10 months until 2018. From then onwards, I have travelled mostly alone as my parents look after my daughter. Only once has my husband travelled with me.
The Queen’s Gambit show?
I have heard a lot but did not watch it. We all know the story so it will be nothing new for us as players.
Sibling bond
My sister also used to play chess for some time. She reached up to the national level during her class 10 but later chose to focus on academics instead. Like any other siblings, we bond well. She follows all my games, and we discuss them. I am close to my parents.
Most cherished moment
Winning two gold medals in the Asian Games held in 2006 and also becoming world rapid champion in 2019. In 2022, I also won a silver medal in the World Blitz Chess
Championship. This was the first medal for a woman from India. In my life, the most cherished moment was when my daughter was born.
My daughter wants me to win every time
My daughter Ahaha is five years old. She asks me all the details about when I will leave and when I will come back. In one incident, after I won a championship, there was a
gathering of people waiting for me at the airport and my daughter was also present there. After that, every time I travel to take part in any tournament, she tells me to win so that the airport moment can be recreated again.
This game needs one-parent commitment
I leave it to my daughter to decide whether she wants to play chess as a professional. Moreover, one of the parents has to be completely focused with the child to make them a professional sportsperson. My father has done it for me, and my mother supported it but in my case, my husband is a businessman so he cannot spend much time and I am still playing as a professional. It is not easy practically. At the end of the day, it is her interest – she is just 5 years old.
How do you address issues like wrestlers protest
In that way, our sport is very safe. Very rarely such incidents happen in a game like chess. Recently, chess players from the United States spoke on a few issues about harassment. We see such news in other sports and general life. I think educating people is very important. It is not just about educating a girl child but giving a proper understanding to the male members of society. If there is a question of morality in the issue, then there is nothing wrong to speak about it.
Life post marriage
It is not easy to balance personal and professional lives. There were times when I wanted to stay back home for some important events, but they usually did not happen. 
Last year, it was my daughter’s birthday, and I was supposed to reach her by morning, but I got stuck in Chennai and I reached home at about 10 in the night. It is not easy as a sportsperson. Even this year I am not sure what will happen on her birthday.
No retirement
If I feel like I am unable to perform or do not have the killer instinct to perform, then that is an indication that we cannot move further. Until now I have not felt like that so I will
continue playing. Probably, by the time I retire, I may plan on opening a centre for training children. No concrete plans as of now.
My mother quit her profession
My mother was a teacher and ran a pre-school. Since I started travelling frequently, my mother decided to quit her profession so that when I come back home, I can spend time with her.
Social life
Our tournament schedule is different. Most of the other sports are in a knockout format where if you do not move further, you have to return within days whereas in chess each event takes place around 15 days. So, when I travel for a tournament and come back, I prefer staying home and relaxing.
Hobbies and passions
Like watching movies. The last movie I watched was ‘Sita Ramam’. Most of the time my daughter is watching some kids’ shows and I accompany her for that.
Story of my name
My name is derived from the word ‘champion’. My father took the word ‘Hampi’ from there. Later, the spelling was changed to ‘Humpy’, because chess was being dominated by Russians and my father wanted my name to sound like theirs. Many people also mistook me as belonging to Karnataka because of the Hampi village.
Driving force
My father and my husband. As a woman, it is not easy to be a professional. Within a week of our marriage, I had to travel for a tournament. Without his support, it would not have happened.
India’s representation in world chess
Chess in India has grown rapidly. Many youngsters are coming up, especially from Tamil Nadu. Talking about women representation, there are quite a few but it is not so convincing
comparatively. The number is still low. Special attention should be paid, and more exposure is needed. It is not possible for basic level players to travel abroad. Initially, we also struggled a lot, but I got success quite early and then I got sponsorship from Bank of Baroda. They were with me till I became a Grandmaster.
No sponsor for years
I did not have a sponsor for a few years after that and then I joined the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation in 2006. By then, I was already an international player so the organisers themselves provided all the facilities. Have done a few endorsements but we cannot compare it with the level of endorsements being done by cricketers or other sportspersons.
Quick bytes
How do you describe yourself?
Apart from my profession, I am an easygoing person. Like spending most of my time with my family.
Nickname? No nickname
Favourite colour? How do you like to dress yourself
I wear salwar and kurti. When I travel due to the profession I wear western wear. For me comfort is more important than appearance.
Favourite food?
I like typical Andhra style food and prefer home-cooked food.
Even when I travel I ensure that I take rice in one pack. I pack snacks while travelling.
Favourite holiday destination
I have been to many countries, but I enjoy being in the Maldives.
Religious or spiritual?
Neither
Favourite aActor?
Suriya and Mahesh Babu
