Humpy's qualification official – Anand on her chances

The FIDE Women Grand Prix is a series of elite tournaments organised by FIDE and Global Chess, with six legs over two years in various countries around the world, with three tournaments every year. The winner of each tournament gets 6,500 Euros out of a prize fund of 40,000 Euros, and the overall winner of the series will win a further 15,000 Euros at the end of the series. The sixth event of the cycle was held from the 21st of February to 5th of March. It took place in the Sharq Village and Spa in Doha, Qatar.

Humpy won her final game and with that Women Grand Prix in Doha, ahead on tie-break points of Elina Danielian, Armenia, who drew against Bulgarian Antoaneta Stefanova.

Final standings (after eleven rounds)

The columns on the right of this table, automatically generated by ChessBase 11, indicate the score, the tiebreak points, the performance and the number of points the player is gaining on the FIDE rating list.

The trophies for the first, second and third places in the Doha Grand Prix

Humpy Koneru receives her prize from FIDE Honorary Vice President Khalifa Mohammed Al-Hitmi

Elina Danielian gets hers from FIDE Vice President Ali Nihat Yazici

Marie Sebag with chief organiser of the Doha Grand Prix GM Mohamed Al-Modiahki

The three winners pose with their trophies

Final Grand Prix standings

The third column from the right, WR, is the worst of four results, which is ignored for the final count of points (i.e. the Grand Prix final total is the sum of the three best tournaments).

Anand on Humpy: She has to be tactically alert

The next world championship challenger: GM Koneru Humpy of India

Koneru Humpy is the first Indian woman to be one step away from being the [women's] world chess champion. She will play the title match against China's Hou Yifan, an opponent she lost to twice in the knockout semifinals. Humpy set up this match, winning the Doha Grand Prix by staging a remarkable rally – 5.5 points in last six rounds.

Only Vishy Anand among Indians has reached thus far (world title match). And the undisputed world chess champion in all formats of the 64-square game has been following the Doha meet keenly. He spoke to TOI from Chennai:

It's a fantastic win. She has been missing out a lot of these events. She came close in knockout format twice but couldn't finish it off. I was following the GP from the beginning and things were not going well for her initially. Once Danielian Elina (Armenia) started doing well, it became worse for Humpy. She had to depend not only on her result but also on other results. But full credit to her for fighting it out, especially in the last two games.

She has managed to keep her high rating comfortably. But that big breakthrough was not happening. Now she gets an opportunity. India-China rivalry is good for chess. Having said that, Hou is a ridiculously talented girl.

The current women's world champion: GM Hou Yifan from China

Humpy has to be tactically much more alert. The initiative has to be converted into a point. She has to find a way to improve her technique. There is no point in outplaying someone if (she) can find an escape tactically. Hou is not a clear favourite as such. But she is dangerous.

If revenge motivates you, go for it! But the main thing is to set your game in order. She has to train well and continue her good run in other events preceding the title match, the schedule of which is unclear.

I would advice Humpy to forget everything. Just concentrate on the game.

It adds a nice touch. Humpy reaching this far is a huge thing for women's chess in India.

• Source: Times of India

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