December 2024 has given India two world champions in chess as after D Gukesh's triumph in Singapore, Koneru Humpy emerged the World Rapid Champion in New York on Sunday.

The 37-year-old finished with 8.5 points out of a possible 11 to emerge the champion. This is Humpy's second Word Rapid title after her maiden success in 2019. 

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"It was high time for India. We also have Gukesh as world champion. I think this will motivate a lot of youngsters to take up chess professionally," said Humpy.

India had the chance of having champions in both men's and women's categories as Arjun Erigaisi had been in joint-lead on the penultimate day. The India No. 1 could not hold on to the advantage and slipped to fifth position on 9 points from a possible 13.

Russia's 18-year-old GM Volodar Murzin triumphed in the men's category on 10 points, becoming the second-youngest World Rapid Champion after Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who claimed the title at 17.

Humpy's victory had shades of Gukesh's monumental achievement in Singapore as just like the 18-year-old, Humpy too lost her first game of the championship. 

She regained her focus and slowly climbed the points table. After the penultimate day, Humpy was tied first with compatriot Dronavalli Harika and world classical chess champion Ju Wenjun of China. 

In the three remaining games held post-midnight on Wall Street, Humpy drew with Wenjun and Kateryna Lagno before scoring the decisive final game win over Irine Kharisma Sukandar. Humpy finished 0.5 points ahead of six others, including Harika. But Harika missed out on the podium as Wenjun and Lagno claimed second and thrid positions respectively with better tiebreak scores.

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