Norway Chess Women R7: Wenjun Ju emerges sole leader

by Shahid Ahmed - 03/06/2025

GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) drew the Classical game against GM Koneru Humpy in Round 7 of 2nd Norway Chess Women. She drew the Armageddon too. Since she had the black pieces, she won the match and Humpy lost. The five-time Women's World Champion, GM Wenjun Ju (CHN) scored three points as she defeated IM Sara Khadem (ESP) in Classical. Thus, Wenjun is now the sole leader 11.5/21. Anna is just a half point behind 11/21, followed by Humpy 10.5/21. GM Tingjie Lei (CHN) defeated GM R Vaishali after the latter blundered in time trouble in a double rook and minor piece endgame. Round 8 starts today from 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 Muzychuk beats Koneru Humpy again

The five-time Women's World Champion - GM Wenjun Ju (CHN) is the new sole leader 11.5/21 | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Humpy - Anna: 1-1.5

GM Koneru Humpy (2543) drew the Classical battle against GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR, 2535).

The Armageddon game also ended in a draw which means Anna won the match as per Armageddon rules.

GM R Vaishali drew her Classical rated game against GM Koneru Humpy | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Wenjun - Sara: 1-1.5

Unlike their first encounter at this event, GM Wenjun Ju (CHN, 2580) ended things in Classical battle against IM Sara Khadem (ESP, 2449).

The five-time Women's World Champion, GM Wenjun Ju defeated IM Sara Khadem comfortably | Photo: Norway Chess / Roza Czarnota

Tingjie - Vaishali: 3-0

In time trouble, GM R Vaishali (2481) misplaced her knight in a double rook and minor piece endgame against GM Tingjie Lei (CHN, 2552). It cost her the game.

GM R Vaishali blundered in time trouble against GM Tingjie Lei (CHN) | Photo: Norway Chess / Roza Czarnota

Round 7 starting moments | Video: ChessBase India

Replay live stream

Replay Round 7 live commentary by IM Sagar Shah and Amruta Mokal | Video: ChessBase India

Round 7 results

The majority of Round 7 games were decided in Classical | Graphic: Norway Chess

Standings after Round 7

Wenjun Ju is in sole lead 11.5/21 | Graphic: Norway Chess

Round 8 pairings

Sara Khadem - Koneru Humpy

Anna Muzychuk - Tingjie Lei

R Vaishali - Wenjun Ju

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.