'Bad Move': Cyprus Chess Chief Dismisses Koneru's Safety Fears As FIDE Doubles-Down

When Criton Tornaritis, the 63-year-old president of the Cyprus Chess Federation was pictured above at a FIDE event on February 22 to officially launch of the 2026 Candidates, he surely did not expect this.

Just weeks later, and with barely five days before Round 1 is due to start, he has found himself laying into one of the participants for pulling out of the tournament.

That player is, of course, Indian legend GM Humpy Koneru who has made headlines this week after she sensationally withdrew from the Women's tournament at FIDE's marquee event.

Koneru's reason was she doesn't feel safe travelling to the island after it was hit by a drone strike following the outbreak of war in the Middle East.

It was clearly a decision that wasn't made easily—Koneru gave warning and took at least a week to mull it over. But her decision hasn't gone down well in Cyprus.

Posting on X, Tornaritis called Koneru's withdrawl misguided and damaging to the sport. He didn't hold back:

"As President of the Cyprus Chess Federation, I am sincerely disappointed by Koneru Humpy's decision to withdraw, citing that Cyprus is 'not safe,'" he said.

"The 2026 Women's Candidates Tournament is one of the largest and most important chess events in the world. This is simply wrong.

"Spreading unfounded concerns harms the sport and shows a lack of respect for the organizers and the players involved. At the highest level of chess, decisions are based on calculation and facts, not fear or misinformation. It was a bad move."

However, jitters about holding the event in Cyprus are not confined to Koneru.

On Sunday it was revealed a poker event, the WSOP Super Circuit Cyprus, which was scheduled to take place from April 25 to May 11, has been cancelled.

The organisers said the decision was taken because of the ongoing uncertainties in the region and concerns about the safety of players and staff.

GM Hikaru Nakamura, the superstar streamer and one of the pre-tournament favourites, has flagged his concern about holding the event in Cyprus.

The world number-two, who is believed to have set up his pre-event camp on the island for the last two months, said regular power cuts he's experienced are not a good sign for the tournament.

FIDE reacted by announcing on Monday that Koneru will be replaced in the draw by GM Anna Muzychuk, with the already published tournament pairings staying the same.

FIDE then quickly went into fire-fighting mode and followed its update about the 2026 pairings by again dismissing fears over the tournament with this post:

FIDE's X account said: "Cyprus is a safe country to travel. There is no emergency situation, and the country continues to operate normally. The Organising Committee

"All necessary measures are in place to ensure a secure, comfortable, and well-organised environment for all participants, media, and guests."

So FIDE is doubling down. The Cyprus Chess Federation is doubling down. Koneru has already made her decision.

Five days to go, what will happen?