Norway Chess Women: Deshmukh beats Assaubayeva in Armageddon

by Carlos Alberto Colodro
5/28/2026 – Bibisara Assaubayeva kept the lead at Norway Chess Women after drawing her classical game against Divya Deshmukh, but her advantage was reduced when Desmukh won their Armageddon decider. All three classical games in round three were drawn, with Anna Muzychuk and Zhu Jiner also prevailing in the tiebreaks. Assaubayeva's round-one win remains the tournament's only decisive classical result so far. | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza
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Deshmukh now 1 point behind the leader

Bibisara Assaubayeva remains in first place after round three of Norway Chess Women, though her lead was reduced to a single point after Divya Deshmukh defeated her in Armageddon. All three classical games ended in draws, meaning Assaubayeva's win over Humpy Koneru in round one remains the only decisive classical game of the event so far.

Anna Muzychuk and Zhu Jinner are tied for third place a half point behind Deshmukh, while Ju Wenjun and Humpy Koneru stand in fifth and sixth place respectively.

Round 3 results

White Result Black
Bibisara Assaubayeva 1 - 1½ Divya Deshmukh
Humpy Koneru 1 - 1½ Anna Muzychuk
Ju Wenjun 1 - 1½ Zhu Jiner

Standings after round 3

Player Rating Federation Points
Bibisara Assaubayeva 2527 Kazakhstan 5½
Divya Deshmukh 2500 India 4½
Zhu Jiner 2546 China 4
Anna Muzychuk 2522 Ukraine 4
Ju Wenjun 2559 China 3
Humpy Koneru 2535 India 2

The most important pairing of the day was the clash between Assaubayeva and Deshmukh, who began the round in first and second place respectively. Their classical game was also the first to finish, as Assaubayeva was unable to demonstrate an advantage from the white side of a Catalan Opening. The game was agreed drawn without major complications.

The Armageddon game did not feature any major swings in the evaluation. Deshmukh gave up two minor pieces for a rook and a pawn, and then found an unusual perpetual-check mechanism to secure the draw she needed with black. It was her third Armageddon success in as many rounds.

Bibisara Assaubayeva, Divya Deshmukh

Bibisara Assaubayeva v. Divya Deshmukh | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Anna Muzychuk also scored in Armageddon, defeating Koneru after a quiet classical draw. Muzychuk surprised her opponent on move two with the Austrian Defence (1.d4 d5 2.c4 c5), a system she used for the first time in her career. The draw was reached without either player generating serious winning chances.

The Armageddon game was far sharper. Koneru, who is known for her classical playing stily, tried to make the game less standard from the start with 1.b3, but the plan did not bring the desired result. Both kings came under pressure, and the Indian GM had the clearest missed opportunity in the time scramble.

33.Rxh6! was completely winning, since after 33...Bxh6 White has 34.Qb2+ Bg7 35.Qh2+ and there is no defence against the direct attack. Instead, Koneru played 33.Qf3 and it was Black who emerged with a superior advantage.

She later had another chance, but after that passed, Muzychuk took over and ended up getting the extra half point in the rapid game.

Humpy Koneru, Anna Muzychuk

Humpy Koneru and Anna Muzychuk | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Zhu Jiner also won her Armageddon game, against world champion Ju Wenjun, after surviving serious danger in both parts of the match.

In the tiebreaker, Ju played a strong game from move 19 onwards, beginning with the tactical 19.b4!, which won a pawn. With the better minor piece and an extra pawn, she seemed close to converting. However, once she dropped to around 30 seconds, her technique faltered.

She sent her king in the wrong direction, allowing Zhu to break free and obtain the result she needed.

Ju Wenjun, Zhu Jiner

A tension-packed all-Chinese encounter - Ju Wenjun versus Zhu Jiner | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

All games - Classical

All games - Armageddon

Links

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Topics: Divya Deshmukh, Norway Chess 2026
Carlos Colodro is a Hispanic Philologist from Bolivia. He works as a freelance translator and writer since 2012. A lot of his work is done in chess-related texts, as the game is one of his biggest interests, along with literature and music.
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