Anna Muzychuk deservingly clinches 2nd Norway Chess Women, Humpy third

by Shahid Ahmed - 07/06/2025

GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) drew against GM R Vaishali in the final round of 2nd Norway Chess Women 2025. She missed a win once again and Vaishali escaped with a draw in Armageddon. Despite the match loss, the crucial draw in the Classical was enough for her to win the tournament as GM Koneru Humpy drew the Classical game against GM Wenjun Ju (CHN). Humpy won her Armageddon against the five-time Women's World Champion to finish third. GM Tingjie Lei (CHN) defeated IM Sara Khadem (ESP) to secure second place. Anna remained undefeated in Classical games at this event. Vaishali was the sole player she could not beat despite having winning positions in both Armageddon. This is Anna's third consecutive Classical tournament win after two GP events in Nicosia, Cyprus and Grosslobming, Austria. Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Vaishali again wins the match against Anna who remains undefeated in Classical

GM Anna Muzychuk is quite possibly in the best form of her career. She has managed to win three consecutive Classical tournaments she played in. First she won - Nicosia GP in March, then Grosslobming GP last month and now 2nd Norway Chess Women. She is the only player who did not lose a single Classical game at this event. Last year also she was very close to winning the tournament, but things beyond her control caused her to finish second.

GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) won 2nd Norway Chess Women convincingly without conceding a single Classical game | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Anna - Vaishali: 1-1.5

Once again, the Classical battle between GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR, 2535) and GM R Vaishali (2481) ended in a draw.

In a winning rook endgame, Anna misplayed and the game ended in a draw. She lost the match, however, she won the tournament as GM Koneru Humpy did not manage to win her Classical game against GM Wenjun Ju (CHN) to force playoffs.

GM R Vaishali is the only player GM Anna Muzychuk could not defeat at this event, escaping jaws of defeat twice | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Humpy - Wenjun: 1.5-1

The Classical game between GM Koneru Humpy (2552) and GM Wenjun Ju (CHN, 2580) ended in a draw again.

GM Koneru Humpy drew against GM Wenjun Ju (CHN) in the Classical battle | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Humpy won Armageddon against the five-time Women's World Champion to finish third.

Wenjun ran out of time in an already lost position against Humpy | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

GM Tingjie Lei (CHN) won a 103-move long battle against IM Sara Khadem (ESP) to finish second | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Dirk Jan ten Geuzendam, Editor-in-Chief, New in Chess, made the ceremonial first move on Koneru Humpy and Wenjun Ju's board | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

A beautiful scenery in Stavanger, Norway | Photo: Prajwal Bhat

Round 10 starting moments | Video: ChessBase India

Replay live stream

Replay Round 10 live commentary by IM Sagar Shah and Amruta Mokal | Video: ChessBase India

Round 10 results

IM Sara Khadem - GM Tingjie Lei: 0-3

GM Koneru Humpy - GM Wenjun Ju: 1.5-1

GM Anna Muzychuk - GM R Vaishali: 1-1.5

Final standings

1st GM Anna Muzychuk 16.5/30

2nd GM Tingjie Lei 16/30

3rd GM Koneru Humpy 15/30

4th GM Wenjun Ju 13.5/30

5th GM R Vaishali 11/30

6th IM Sara Khadem 9/30

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.