Norway Chess Women 2024 R7: Anna Muzychuk ends Wenjun's unbeaten run, emerges sole leader
Anna Muzychuk (UKR) defeated the reigning Women's World Champion - Wenjun Ju (CHN) to emerge sole leader at Norway Chess Women 2024. Wenjun opted for the Berlin Defence in Ruy Lopez to draw the Classical game. Anna understanding Wenjun's intention, opted to avoid Ruy Lopez, played fast and accurately. Eventually Wenjun ran out of time in an equal rook and knight endgame. The former World Rapid and Blitz Women's champion, Anna reminded everyone why she won those events. Anna handed Wenjun her first Armageddon and match loss of the event. Koneru Humpy scored her first Classical victory of the tournament against Vaishali. Currently, Anna is leading 12/21, Wenjun close on her heels 11.5/21, followed by Vaishali 10/21. Round 8 starts today from 5 p.m. CET, 8:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Norway Chess/Stev Bonhage
Humpy scores her first Classical win of the event against Vaishali
Apart from Armageddon, one of the unique feature of this tournament is - Confession booth. Players can go there during their game and speak whatever they have in their mind. Only the viewers who are watching the live stream can hear their voice and see them. The confession is quite contrasting between the Open and Women events. Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana generally spoke about their position, tournament situation and etc. Whereas, the women, it is completely different. Pia Cramling mentioned that she played 1.d4 because her daughter WFM Anna Cramling who is also a popular streamer chose it as she made the first move. Anna Muzychuk thanked the organizers for organizing the Women's top level Classical event with equal prize fund, simultaneously at the same place at the same hall, for the first time in history. She also showed her support towards Ding Liren. She mentioned she did not know him personally or spoke with him but she could fathom what he is going through as she had once gone through a difficult time. It was the support shown to her at that time, mattered a lot.
Humpy - Vaishali: 3-0
Koneru Humpy (2545) scored her first Classical victory of the event against R Vaishali (2489).
Vaishali made the mistake of capturing the e5-pawn 23...Bxe5? 24.Bxe5 Rc1+ 25.Kg2 Qxe5 26.Qd8+ Kg7 27.Rxe7 and White won the game eventually.
Pia - Tingjie: 1-1.5
The result between Pia Cramling (SWE, 2447) and Tingjie Lei (CHN, 2548) was the same once again. The Classical game ended in a draw and Tingjie won Armageddon. The legend, Pia made a tactical error in Armageddon. It cost her a pawn and things went downhill from there.
Anna - Wenjun: 1.5-1
The reigning Women's World Champion, Wenjun Ju (CHN, 2558) opted for the Berlin Defence in the Ruy Lopez against Anna Muzychuk (UKR, 2505). Anna could not do much as the opening is drawish in nature and the game ended in a draw. In Armageddon, Anna avoided Ruy Lopez, knowing well that Wenjun would once again opt for the Berlin as draw is enough for her to win Armageddon and the match. The Ukrainian kept playing fast, accurately and looking for chances for herself. Eventually Wenjun ran out of time in an equal rook and knight endgame to lose her first game and match of this event. This win ensured Anna gaining sole lead 12/21, Wenjun is at 11.5/21.
Replay live stream
Replay Round 7 games
Round 7 results
Koneru Humpy - Vaishali R: 3-0
Pia Cramling - Tingjie Lei: 1-1.5
Anna Muzychuk - Wenjun Ju: 1.5-1
Standings after Round 7
Anna Muzychuk - 12/21
Wenjun Ju - 11.5/21
Vaishali - 10/21
Tingjie Lei - 8.5/21
Koneru Humpy - 8/21
Pia Cramling - 5.5/21
Round 8 pairings
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
