Three decisive results in classical chess
Round nine of the Norway Chess Women tournament saw a major shift at the top of the standings, as all three games ended decisively in classical play. Anna Muzychuk took the lead with a crucial win over defending champion Ju Wenjun, while former sole leader Humpy Koneru was defeated by Lei Tingjie after misplaying from a winning position. In the remaining game, Sara Khadem scored her second classical win of the event, defeating Vaishali Rameshbabu with the black pieces.
Muzychuk, who had entered the round trailing Humpy by one point, now stands alone atop the standings with one round to go. Her win over Ju allowed her to leapfrog both Humpy and the Chinese representative in one go. Meanwhile, Lei’s victory over Humpy halted the leader's momentum and kept her own hopes alive.
In the final round, Muzychuk will face Vaishali with the white pieces, while Humpy and Ju are set to play one another.
Standings after round 9
Rk |
Name |
FED |
Rtg |
Pts |
1 |
Anna Muzychuk |
UKR |
2526 |
15½ |
2 |
Humpy Koneru |
IND |
2543 |
13½ |
3 |
Lei Tingjie |
CHN |
2552 |
13 |
4 |
Ju Wenjun |
CHN |
2580 |
12½ |
5 |
Vaishali R |
IND |
2475 |
9½ |
6 |
Sara Khadem |
SPA |
2449 |
9 |
The King‘s Indian Attack is a universal opening: easy to learn, flexible, and rich in both tactical and positional opportunities.

Sara Khadem deafeted Vaishali Rameshbabu | Photo: Michal Walusza
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 Nxc3 6...Nc7 7.0-0 e5 8.d3 Be7 9.Nd2 Bd7 10.Nc4 7.bxc3 e5 8.0-0 Be7 9.d3 0-0 10.Rb1 Qc7 11.Nd2 Be6 12.Nc4 12.c4 Rac8 13.Ne4 b6 14.Nc3 Qd7 15.Nd5 Bd6 16.a4 f5 17.Bd2= 12...Rad8 13.Qa4 Bd7 14.Ne3 Be6 14...Nd4 15.Qd1 Nc6 16.Nd5+- 15.c4 Qd7 16.Nd5 16...Bd6 17.Bd2 Nd4 18.Qd1 Bg4 19.Re1 b6 20.Bc3 f5 21.f3 Bh5 22.e3 Nc6 23.e4 23...f4 24.gxf4 Rxf4!? 24...exf4 25.e5 Be7 26.e6 Qd6 27.Bh3 25.Nxf4 exf4 26.e5 Be7 27.d4? 27.e6 Qc7 28.Qe2 Bg6 29.Rbd1 Bh4 27...cxd4 28.Bd2 Qf5 29.Qe2 Bc5 30.Kh1 Bg6 30...d3 31.Qf1 Nxe5-+ 31.e6 d3 32.Qf1 Nd4 33.Rbd1 Ne2 34.Bh3 Qh5 35.Bb4 Be4 35...Bxb4 36.Rxe2 Rd6-+ 36.fxe4 Bxb4 37.e7 Bxe7 38.Be6+ Kh8 39.Qh3 Qxh3 40.Bxh3 Bh4 41.Rf1 Nc3 42.Ra1 d2 43.Bg4 g5 44.e5 Kg7 45.Kg2 Kg6 46.h3 h5 47.Bd1 Kf5 48.Bxh5 Kxe5 49.a4 a5 50.Bf3 Rd3 51.Ra3 Kd4 52.Rb3 Be1 53.Bh5 Nxa4 54.Rb1 Kc5 55.Rb5+ Kxc4 56.Rxg5 Rg3+ 57.Rxg3 Bxg3 58.h4 Nc3 59.Kh3 Kd3 60.Bf3 Bxh4 61.Kxh4 Kc2 62.Kg5 b5 63.Kxf4 b4 64.Bh5 d1Q 65.Bxd1+ Nxd1 66.Rh1 b3 67.Rh2+ Kc1 0–1
In a total of 6 chapters, we look at the following aspects: the right decision based on tactical factors, decisions in exchanges and moves, complex and psychological decisions in longer games and in defence.

Ju Wenjun facing Anna Muzychuk in an all-important encounter | Photo: Michal Walusza
1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 Be6 6.e3 Nbd7 7.Bd3 c6 8.Nf3 h6 9.Bf4 g5 10.Bg3 Nh5 11.Be5 Nxe5 12.dxe5 Qc7 13.Qa4 Bd7 14.h3 Ng7 15.e4 d4 16.Qxd4 Ne6 17.Qc4 Nf4 18.Bf1 0-0-0 19.0-0-0 Be6 20.Rxd8+ Qxd8 21.Qd4 Qa5 22.g3 22...Bc5? 22...Bb4 23.gxf4 Rd8 24.Qe3 gxf4 25.Qxf4 Bxc3 26.bxc3 Qxc3+ 27.Kb1 Rd1+ 23.Qa4 Qb6 23...Qxa4 24.Nxa4 24.gxf4 Bxf2 25.Be2 25.f5 Qe3+ 26.Nd2 Rd8 27.Qd1+- 25...Qe3+ 26.Kb1 Qxf4 27.Nd4 Bd7 28.Bg4 Bxg4 29.hxg4 Qxe5 30.Nf5 Qf4 31.Qc4 Qxg4 32.Nd6+ Kc7 33.Qxf7+ Qd7 34.Ncb5+ 34.Ncb5+ cxb5 35.Rc1+ Kxd6 36.Rd1+ 1–0
Doesn’t every chess game get decided by mistakes? Absolutely. But most players never truly comprehend that they are making the same kind of mistakes over and over again.

Lei Tingjie | Photo: Michal Walusza
All games - Classical
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All games - Armageddon
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
Please, wait...
- Start an analysis engine:
- Try maximizing the board:
- Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
- Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
- Drag the split bars between window panes.
- Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
- Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
- Create an account to access the games cloud.
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