Norway Women’s Chess: Ju Wenjun on Course for Tournament Victory
In the penultimate round of the Norway Women’s Chess tournament, reigning world champion Ju Wenjun faced Humpy Koneru with the black pieces. Responding to Koneru’s Queen’s Gambit with the Ragozin Variation, the game progressed steadily to a double rook endgame, then to a rook endgame with an equal number of pawns on both sides, ultimately ending in a draw.
The Armageddon game saw the Indian Grandmaster Koneru initiate a queen fianchetto and later conceding a doubled pawn on the king’s side, which did not bode well for her position. Under pressure on the king’s side, Koneru lost material and eventually the game.
The encounter between Pia Cramling and Anna Muzychuk started with a quick and uneventful draw in the Sharah-Hannings Gambit in the classical game.
In the Armageddon game, Muzychuk pursued a similar idea with a white bishop fianchetto on the king’s side. The game remained balanced for a long time, until the Swedish chess icon, likely in time trouble, blundered her queen, allowing Anna Muzychuk to claim the extra half-point.
One game in this round was decided within the classical time control.
Lei Tingjie opened her game against Vaishali Rameshbabu with the English Opening and countered the black d7-d5 push with an early e4. After central exchanges, an unusual position emerged where the queens were off the board, and Black temporarily held an extra pawn. White, on the other hand, had a slight development advantage. Vaishali’s long castling decision proved to be unfavorable in the end.
Results of Round 9:
Lei Tingjie – Vaishali R: 3-0
Koneru Humpy – Wenjun Ju: 1-1.5
Pia Cramling – Anna Muzychuk: 1-1.5
As both Ju Wenjun and Anna Muzychuk drew their classical games and won their Armageddon games, there was no change in the standings between the two leading players. However, Lei Tingjie’s victory over Vaishali earned her three points, putting her level with Anna Muzychuk.
Standings after 9 rounds:
Wenjun Ju – 16/27
Tingjie Lei – 14.5/27
Anna Muzychuk – 14.5/27
Vaishali – 11.5/27
Koneru Humpy – 9/27
Pia Cramling – 6.5/27
With a 1.5-point lead over her closest competitors, Ju Wenjun is in a prime position to clinch the tournament victory. In the final round, the world champion will face the runner-up Lei Tingjie and can solidify her lead. Anna Muzychuk will play with the white pieces against Humpy Koneru.
Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion of the tournament!
Source: Tournament website…