Chess Tournament interrupted by a Wedding: FIDE WGP Pune
The FIDE Women’s Grand Prix in Pune kicked off with a bitter-sweet but lively twist on April 14, 2025, as the first round unfolded at Amanora The Fern Hotel. Amid the intense focus of knights and bishops, an unexpected guest joined the fray—music from a nearby wedding celebration.
Indian weddings are known to grand and loud in all aspects, and this one certainly became a disruption for the players contesting at the playing venue of the FIDE WGP. The arbiters, quick on their feet, paused the games for a 15-minute interlude to restore the calm needed for top-tier chess. Players, including stars like Humpy Koneru and Zhu Jiner, waited patiently as the festive notes faded, and soon enough, the board battles resumed with full concentration.
Source: FIDE YouTube Broadcast
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time India’s Women’s Grand Prix has danced to an unusual tune. Back in 2023, a boxing match’s clamor had briefly disrupted the event in New Delhi, adding a punchy footnote to the tournament’s history. While these moments might briefly sway the rhythm, they also highlight the vibrant, unpredictable energy of hosting world-class chess in a bustling nation. Here’s to more uninterrupted checkmates in Pune’s thrilling chess saga
Photo courtesy: FIDE (International Federation of Chess)
