Humpy Koneru is a reputed Indian chess player who has become a Grandmaster with her excellent performance. Currently she is ranked 2nd in the world for women behind Judit Polgar and the January 2010 FIDE Elo rating of Humpy Koneru is 2614. Humpy Koneru was born on 31st March in the year 1987 in Gudivada, Andhra Pradesh. She became the 2nd highest ranked female chess player in history in 2007, after Koneru surpassed Susan Polgar`s rating of 2577. Humpy Koneru is the second female chess player ever to exceed the 2600 Elo mark, after Judit Polgar. Her parents named Humpy Koneru originally as Hampi. But it was later changed to Humpy by her father because it is a more Russian-sounding name. The record for being the youngest woman to become a grandmaster is courageously done by Humpy Koneru. This record she achieved at the age of 15 years, 1 month, 27 days.

She achieved the record after beating Judit Polgar`s previous record only by 3 months. She won the World Junior Girls Chess Championship in the year 2001. She participated in the year 2006 in the Women`s World Chess Championship, but she was eliminated in the second round.

Career of Humpy Koneru
The most notable games she has played against are: Koneru vs Z Nemeth in the year 2005 won by 1-0, Koneru vs N Berry in the year 1999 won by 1-0, Koneru vs T Kosintseva in the year 2004 won by 1-0, Koneru vs Hebden in the year 2002 won by 1-0, L Bruzon vs Koneru in the year 2003 won by 0-1, Shaobin vs Koneru in the year 2005 won by 0-1, Koneru vs E Kovalevskaya in the year 2004 1/2-1/2, Kosteniuk vs Koneru in the year 2004 won by 0-1, C Deepan vs Koneru in the year 2006 won by 0-1. She started playing chess when she was only 5 years old. She has won four World Championships, including the World Girls under 10, Under 12, Under 14 and World Girls Junior championships.

Humpy Koneru participated in the FIDE Women`s Grand Prix 2009-2011 where she competed hard and finished in overall second position, in turn qualifying as challenger for Women`s World Chess Championship 2011.

Awards won by Humpy Koneru
2003: Arjuna award
2007: Padma Shri award
2008: Raja Lakshmi Award