Wenjun Ju wins the inaugural Norway Chess Women 2024
Wenjun Ju (CHN) defeated Tingjie Lei (CHN) in the final round to win the inaugural Norway Chess Women 2024 with a score 19/30. However, more than the result, how it happened was surprising. Tingjie did not lose a single Classical game until Round 10. Even the commentators mentioned that she put up almost little resistance in the battle against the reigning Women's World Champion. Perhaps the cerebral effect of losing the World Championship Match last year. Who knows? Anna Muzychuk (UKR) crushed Koneru Humpy in Armageddon to become a clear second 16/30. Tingjie finished third 14.5/30, Vaishali fourth 12.5/30. Photos: Abhyudaya Ram
Only Anna beats Wenjun
What is the next best thing to winning a tournament? Beating the eventual champion. Anna Muzychuk (UKR) became the sole player to beat the winner, Wenjun Ju (CHN) in the seventh round. Unfortunately, her fantastic win in the last round was not enough to force tie-breaks as things were beyond her control. World Championship cycle events, Continental championship has a rule that players representing same country/federation cannot face each other in the final round, they must face as early as possible. Reason? So that they do not have any control on the overall outcome of the event. Maybe it is time to introduce that to other round-robin tournaments too?
Vaishali - Pia: 1-1.5
Vaishali (2489) had a rare 75-move draw by arbiter intervention against Pia Cramling (SWE, 2447) in a rook vs rook and bishop endgame. When neither player claims a 50-move draw, provided the conditions for the claim is met, then arbiter can only intervene after 75 moves which is what happened in the Classical game. Vaishali lost Armageddon as Pia decided to draw the game in a winning position, a draw with black pieces in Armageddon is a win.
Anna - Humpy: 1.5-1
Anna Muzychuk (UKR, 2505) drew the Classical game against Koneru Humpy (2545). Anna crushed Humpy in Armageddon.
Wenjun - Tingjie: 1.5-1
Tingjie Lei (CHN, 2548) who never lost a single Classical game until the final round did not play her very best against Wenjun Ju (CHN, 2558) and lost a lopsided game. Her play even surprised the commentators.
Replay live stream
Replay Round 10 games
Round 10 results
Vaishali R - Pia Cramling: 1-1.5
Anna Muzychuk - Koneru Humpy: 1.5-1
Wenjun Ju - Tingjie Lei: 3-0
Final standings
Wenjun Ju - 19/30
Anna Muzychuk - 16/30
Tingjie Lei - 14.5/30
Vaishali - 12.5/30
Koneru Humpy - 10/30
Pia Cramling - 8/30
Format
6 players will take part in the Tournament.
The Tournament is a double-round event with Armageddon.
The Tournament consists of 10 rounds.
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 27th May to 7th June, every day game starts at 5 p.m. local time and 8:30 p.m. IST. Rest days are on Friday 31st May and Wednesday 5th 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:
SR-Bank in Stavanger City.
Address: Christen Tranes Gate 35, 4007 Stavanger
All tickets are purchased directly at the venue. No pre-sale.
It is possible to reserve tickets, however, this is normally not necessary due to good capacity at the venue. Reserve your ticket by e-mailing the desired dates and names to: bjorn@norwaychess.com.
Ticket prices per day:
Adults: 200 NOK
Children: 100 NOK
Family: 400 NOK
Links
Norway Chess: Official site, facebook, twitter, instagram, youtube, linkedin
