Anna Muzychuk spells beautiful disaster for Wenjun, on the verge of winning Norway Chess Women 2025
GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) played fantastic chess to beat GM Wenjun Ju (CHN) and regain her sole lead at 2nd Norway Chess Women. This was Anna's first victory over the five-time Women's World Champion in a Classical rated game. It was a scintillating game which propelled her to the top of the table 15.5/27. GM Koneru Humpy blundered in a position where she could have gained a decisive advantage against GM Tingjie Lei (CHN). Humpy is at 13.5/27. She has to beat Wenjun in the Classical battle in final round to keep her chances. A win in either Classical or Armageddon makes Anna a clear champion whereas a draw can also be enough to win the tournament. Round 10 starts today at 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 scores her first Classical win over the five-time Women's World Champion
GM Anna Muzychuk has the best chance of winning the tournament as she is just a win away from becoming the champion. A draw might also prove to be enough to become the winner. Her pursuers, GM Koneru Humpy 13.5/27, GM Tingjie Lei (CHN) 13/27 and GM Wenjun Ju (CHN) 12.5/27, not only have to win their respective Classical battle, but also hope that everything works out in their favor to finish at the top.
Wenjun - Anna: 0-3
GM Wenjun Ju (CHN, 2580) drew both Classical and Armageddon games earlier against GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR, 2535). Anna offered a positional exchange sacrifice in the middlegame.
The five-time Women's World Champion decided to accept it 25.Nxf4 exf4 the exchange sacrifice does not give anything to Black immediately. However, the potential is huge and White's bishop being blind sided at g2 is a bonus. 26.e5 Be7 27.d4? White sacrificed a pawn to free up the position exd4 and it made things worse for White.
35...Be4! is a beautiful move. Black couldn't capture on b4 because Rxe2 is there. 35...Be4! means 36.fxe4 now Black can take on b4 as the queen is providing support to the e2-knight. Moreover, White was left without choice. 36.fxe4 was forced Bxb4 Black improves her position a step more.
The d2-pawn is an absolute menace for White. It played a crucial role in Black earning the victory.
Black has every single piece actively participating in the d-pawn's promotion, whereas White's pieces are all over the place, cannot help but become a spectator in their king's demise. This game should definitely make into various chess books in the future. If none, then at least it should be there in Anna's best games collection book.
Tingije - Humpy: 3-0
GM Koneru Humpy (2552) defeated GM Tingjie Lei (CHN, 2552) in Armageddon earlier at this event. She got herself a good position and could have won this time too. However, in a position where she could have seized advantage, she blundered.
22...Bb4 23.gxf4 Rd8 gives Black a decisive advantage. Instead, she blundered 22...Bc5?? 23.Qa4+- now Black cannot avoid material loss.
Vaishali - Sara: 0-3
GM R Vaishali (2481) lost a tough battle against IM Sara Khadem (ESP, 2449).
Replay live stream
Round 9 results
Standings after Round 9
Round 10 pairings
Sara Khadem - Tingjie Lei
Koneru Humpy - Wenjun Ju
Anna Muzychuk - R Vaishali
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
