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Anna Muzychuk spells beautiful disaster for Wenjun, on the verge of winning Norway Chess Women 2025

by Shahid Ahmed - 06/06/2025

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.

GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) regained her sole lead 15.5/27 | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

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.

Position after 24...Rxf4

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.

Position after 35...Be4!

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.

Position after 42...d2

The d2-pawn is an absolute menace for White. It played a crucial role in Black earning the victory.

Position after 51...Kd4

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.

GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) promotes a queen and wins the game three moves later against the five-time Women's World Champion - GM Wenjun Ju (CHN) | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

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.

Position after 22.g3

22...Bb4 23.gxf4 Rd8 gives Black a decisive advantage. Instead, she blundered 22...Bc5?? 23.Qa4+- now Black cannot avoid material loss.

GM Koneru Humpy blundered and gifted three points to GM Tingjie Lei (CHN) | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Vaishali - Sara: 0-3

GM R Vaishali (2481) lost a tough battle against IM Sara Khadem (ESP, 2449).

IM Sara Khadem (ESP) avenged her earlier loss against GM R Vaishali at this event | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) with her fans | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Round 9 in progress | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza
Round 9 starting moments | Video: ChessBase India

Replay live stream

Replay Round 9 live commentary by IM Sagar Shah and Amruta Mokal | Video: ChessBase India

Round 9 results

All three Classical games ended decisively among Women | Graphic: Norway Chess

Standings after Round 9

Anna Muzychuk regained her sole lead 15.5/27 | Graphic: Norway Chess

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

Tournament Regulations

Norway Chess: Official site, facebook, twitter, instagram, youtube, linkedin


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