Norway Chess Women R3: Humpy obliterates Sara, joins Anna Muzychuk in the lead
GM Koneru Humpy bounced back in the third round of 2nd Norway Chess Women 2025. She completely decimated IM Sara Khadem (ESP) who played a below par game. This win helped Humpy to catch up with the sole leader GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR). Anna made a quick draw with GM Tingjie Lei (CHN). Then she recovered well from a tough start in Armageddon to draw the game which is a win as per Armageddon rules. Both Humpy and Anna are at 6/9 each. GM R Vaishali drew the Classical against the reigning five-time Women's World Champion, GM Wenjun Ju (CHN). However, she suffered a 19-move miniature loss against Wenjun. Both Tingjie and Wenjun are at 4/9 each. Round 4 starts today from 5 p.m. local time, 8:30 p.m. IST. Apart from youtube, there is also a live broadcast on Sony Liv. Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza
Anna wins her second Armageddon
GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) won her second Armageddon of the event as she against with GM Tingjie Lei (CHN) with the black pieces.
Humpy - Sara: 3-0
GM Koneru Humpy (2543) played four Classical rated games against IM Sara Khadem (ESP, 2449). Humpy won twice, the remaining two ended in a draw. The reigning World Rapid Women champion won their fifth battle.
Humpy made her intentions clear that she is playing for only one result - a win in Classical when she went 14.g4, 15.f4, 16.f5 and got a substantial advantage in no time as her opponent kept making shallow moves.
37.Re6!! is such a nice exchange sacrifice 37...Bxe6 38.fxe6 Ng5 39.Bg2 of course White would not give away her precious bishop Ba5 40.Qe3 gearing up for final push Bb6 41.e7 Rfe8 42.d6 and Black resigned as there is not much left to go on.
Tingjie - Anna: 1-1.5
Last year, GM Tingjie Lei (CHN, 2552) and GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR, 2526) drew both Classical games at this event. They won a game each with black pieces in Armageddon. This time, the Classical game ended in a draw quickly in just 21 moves.
Anna recovered well after a difficult start in Armageddon. In the end, she drew the game comfortably to win the match as draw with black pieces in Armageddon equals a win.
Wenjun - Vaishali: 1.5-1
The only time GM R Vaishali (2475) faced GM Wenjun Ju (CHN, 2580) in a Classical rated game was at this very event, last year. Their first battle ended in a draw and Vaishali lost Armageddon. Exactly, a year and a day later, the same was repeated with the colors also being the same. Vaishali drew the Classical game comfortably opting for the French Defence.
Vaishali opted for French again in Armageddon. However, it did not work out. The reigning five-time Women's World Champion, Wenjun opted for the Exchange variation and made a short work of her opponent in just 19 moves.
For more Round 3 photos, please click here.
Replay live stream
Round 3 results
Standings after Round 3
Round 4 pairings
Tingjie Lei - Sara Khadem
Wenjun Ju - Koneru Humpy
R Vaishali - Anna Muzychuk
Format
6 players will take part in the Tournament.
The Tournament is a double-round event with Armageddon.
The Tournament consists of 10 rounds.
Berger tables will be used for the pairings.
Time Control
Each player will have 120 minutes on the clock with an increment of 10 seconds starting from move 41. The time control for the Armageddon game: white has 10 minutes and black has 7 minutes with an increment for both players of 1 second per move, starting from move 41.
Draw by Mutual Agreement
Players are not allowed to agree to a draw until at least 30 moves have been made by each player. This rule does not apply to Armageddon games.
Armageddon
If the classical game is drawn, an Armageddon game will be played. It shall start within 20 minutes of the conclusion of the classical game. The player with White pieces will continue with White in Armageddon. If the Armageddon game is drawn, black will win.
Points
Players will get the following points per round:
Win in the classical game: 3 points
Loss in the classical game: 0 points
Draw in the classical game & win Armageddon: 1½ points
Draw in the classical game & loss Armageddon: 1 point
Schedule
From 26th May to 6th June, every day game starts at 5 p.m. local time and 8:30 p.m. IST. Rest days are on Friday 30th May and Wednesday 4th June.
Prize money
Prize Money The total prize fund of the Tournament is 1690000 NOK. Distribution of Prize money occurs as followed:
1st - NOK 700000
2nd - NOK 350000
3rd - NOK 200000
4th - NOK 170000
5th - NOK 150000
6th - NOK 120000
Watch the tournaments live at the venue:
Venue: Finansparken. For ticket info, visit here.
Ticket prices per day:
Adults: 200 NOK
Children and youth (under 18): 100 NOK
Family: 400 NOK
Links
Norway Chess: Official site, facebook, twitter, instagram, youtube, linkedin
