Decisive tactical errors

The women's section of the Norway Chess tournament mirrors the open event in format, player count and prize fund.

While the open tournament features six of the world's top eight players, the women’s event showcases both elite competitors and rising stars. Four of the six participants are currently ranked in the world's top ten: women's world champion Ju Wenjun, former challenger for the world title Lei Tingjie, Indian number one Humpy Koneru and Ukrainian number one Anna Muzychuk. Completing the field are Vaishali Rameshbabu, winner of the 2023 Women's Grand Swiss, and Sarasadat Khademalsharieh (Sara Khadem), who now represents Spain and finished second in both the World Rapid and Blitz Championships in 2018.

Round one saw Humpy Koneru score the only classical win of the day, defeating fellow Indian Vaishali Rameshbabu after a decisive tactical error. The other two matchups were decided in Armageddon: Lei Tingjie prevailed over Ju Wenjun following a solid draw in the classical game, while Anna Muzychuk edged out Sara Khadem after missing a win earlier in the day.

Standings after round 1

King's Indian Attack - Simple. Flexible. Dynamic.

The King‘s Indian Attack is a universal opening: easy to learn, flexible, and rich in both tactical and positional opportunities.

A smiling Humpy Koneru leaves the playing hall and is met by fans | Photo: Michal Walusza

The most high-profile matchup of the round saw top seeds Lei Tingjie and Ju Wenjun meet in the very first round. Their classical game was a balanced affair, eventually ending in a draw after both sides kept things under control in the middlegame. The result meant a tiebreak was needed to determine the winner.

In the Armageddon game, Lei, playing white, obtained a promising attacking position, though it did not lead to an immediate breakthrough.

The final key moment came on move 56, with Ju defending a rook and knight versus rook and bishop endgame while a pawn down. She opted for 56...Rf2+, which allowed Lei to eventually convert her advantage.

However, Ju missed a clearer drawing path in 56...Nxd4. The variation 56...Nxd4 57.cxd4 Rxd4+ 58.Kc3 Rc4+ 59.Rxc4 dxc4 60.Kxc4 would have led to a dead draw.

Lei Tingjie | Photo: Michal Walusza

Anna Muzychuk and Sara Khadem also required Armageddon to produce a winner. In the classical game, Muzychuk had a winning position but failed to make the most of her chances, allowing Khadem to escape with the draw.

In the decider, Muzychuk again held the advantage, this time in a queen endgame with an extra pawn. The endgame was still within drawing margins, and Khadem could have posed further resistance with the correct move 50...f6. Instead, she played 50...Qc5, a mistake that ended the game immediately

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This video course provides a comprehensive and practical White repertoire in the Ruy Lopez! Through instructive model games and in-depth theoretical explanations, you will learn how to confidently handle both main lines and sidelines.
This video course provides a comprehensive and practical White repertoire in the Ruy Lopez! Through instructive model games and in-depth theoretical explanations, you will learn how to confidently handle both main lines and sidelines.
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: Overview
Free video sample: Chigorin: 9...Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4 Nd7/cxd4

51.Qb2+ delivered check while placing White's queen behind the passed pawn, securing both initiative and coordination. Recognising her position was lost, Khadem resigned on the spot.

Anna Muzychuk and Sara Khadem | Photo: Michal Walusza

The only decisive classical game of the round came from the all-Indian matchup between Humpy Koneru and Vaishali Rameshbabu. Vaishali got the upper hand early in the game and emerged from the opening with a more comfortable position. Humpy, however, stabilised in the middlegame and gradually levelled the position.

Just as the game seemed to be heading for a draw, disaster struck for Vaishali. On move 42, she played 42...Qa2, overlooking the immediate tactical consequence.

Humpy responded instantly with 43.Bf8, creating an unstoppable mating threat. There was no satisfactory defence. The correct way to continue in the diagrammed position would have been 42...Qc3, when 43.Bf8 fails tactically to 43...Qxe5.

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A painful one-move loss for Vaishali, who had otherwise played well for most of the game.

The playing hall | Photo: Michal Walusza

All games - Classical

All games - Armageddon

Links

• Official site
• Magnus Carlsen wins sixth Norway Chess title (2024)
• Ju Wenjun triumphant at inaugural Norway Chess Women event (2024)
• Nakamura beats Caruana to win Norway Chess (2023)
• Magnus Carlsen wins Norway Chess for a fourth straight time (2022)
• Carlsen wins Norway Chess, Firouzja shines (2021)