Norway Chess Women 2024 R6: Anna Muzychuk and Wenjun Ju become coleaders
Wenjun Ju (CHN) defeated Vaishali in the Classical game to become one of the leaders at Norway Chess Women 2024. Vaishali made a few incorrect decisions in the endgame against the reigning Women's World Champion. First she needed to trade the queens before going into the minor piece endgame. Delaying the exchange only made things difficult for her to defend. Later, she missed few chances to salvage a draw. Anna Muzychuk (UKR) defeated Tingjie Lei (CHN) in the Armageddon to join the lead with Wenjun 10.5/18. The leaders will face each other in Round 7. Vaishali is just a half point behind at 10/18. Pia Cramling (SWE) scored her first win of the event. She drew the Armageddon with the black pieces against Koneru Humpy. Round 7 starts today from 5 p.m. CET, 8:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Norway Chess/Stev Bonhage
A day of firsts for Anna, Wenjun and Pia
It was a day of firsts for all three victors of the sixth round. Wenjun Ju scored her first Classical win, Anna Muzychuk won her first Armageddon, Pia Cramling won her first Armageddon and also the match.
Vaishali - Wenjun: 0-3
R Vaishali (2489) drew her first Classical game against Wenjun Ju (CHN, 2559). The rematch also seemed to be heading towards another draw.
In the above position, playing 38.Qc3 and forcing the queen trade would have been a better continuation for White. It would have negated any future issues arising due to the presence of the black queen after the trade of queenside a and b-pawns which is what happened in the game. 38.axb5 Qb6 39.Kd1 Bxb5 40.Qc3 a4 41.bxa4 Bxa4+ and trouble started brewing for White.
53.Kf2?? was a big mistake Qxd2+ 54.Bxd2 Bb2 55.Nb3 Ba3? instead 55...Bc4 would have ended the game much earlier. 56.Bc1 Bxc1 57.Nxc1 the knight has no safe square to go Ke8 with the idea of Kd7-c6-b5-a4. Anytime the knight pops up on a light square, Black can afford to exchange it with his bishop, keeping in mind that the king invasion is successful. After a back and forth play, Black went on to win the complex endgame.
Tingjie - Anna: 1-1.5
The Classical game again ended in a draw between Tingjie Lei (CHN, 2548) and Anna Muzychuk (UKR, 2505). Anna managed to hold a draw in Armageddon. In the final moments, Tingjie blundered. However, a draw with the black pieces in Armageddon is still counted as a win. Tingjie resigned as draw with the white pieces is also a loss. Anna won the Armageddon and joined the lead with Wenjun 10.5/18.
Humpy - Pia: 1-1.5
The Classical game rematch between Koneru Humpy (2545) and Pia Cramling (SWE, 2449) once again ended in a draw in exactly 37 moves. Humpy missed her chances in the Armageddon and it ended in a draw. Pia won the Armageddon as she had the black pieces. Thus, the match too.
Check out Game Theory stats after Round 6 by Mehmet Ismail
Replay live stream
Replay Round 6 games
Round 6 results
Vaishali R - Wenjun Ju: 0-3
Tingjie Lei - Anna Muzychuk: 1-1.5
Koneru Humpy - Pia Cramling: 1-1.5
Standings after Round 6
Anna Muzychuk - 10.5/18
Wenjun Ju - 10.5/18
Vaishali - 10/18
Tingjie Lei - 7/18
Koneru Humpy - 5/18
Pia Cramling - 4.5/18
Round 7 pairings
Format
6 players will take part in the Tournament.
The Tournament is a double-round event with Armageddon.
The Tournament consists of 10 rounds.
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.
Points
Players will get the following points per round:
Win in the classical game: 3 points
Loss in the classical game: 0 points
Draw in the classical game & win Armageddon: 1½ points
Draw in the classical game & loss Armageddon: 1 point
Schedule
From 27th May to 7th June, every day game starts at 5 p.m. local time and 8:30 p.m. IST. Rest days are on Friday 31st May and Wednesday 5th June.
Prize money
Prize Money The total prize fund of the Tournament is 1690000 NOK. Distribution of Prize money occurs as followed:
1st - NOK 700000
2nd - NOK 350000
3rd - NOK 200000
4th - NOK 170000
5th - NOK 150000
6th - NOK 120000
Watch the tournaments live at the venue:
SR-Bank in Stavanger City.
Address: Christen Tranes Gate 35, 4007 Stavanger
All tickets are purchased directly at the venue. No pre-sale.
It is possible to reserve tickets, however, this is normally not necessary due to good capacity at the venue. Reserve your ticket by e-mailing the desired dates and names to: bjorn@norwaychess.com.
Ticket prices per day:
Adults: 200 NOK
Children: 100 NOK
Family: 400 NOK
Links
Norway Chess: Official site, facebook, twitter, instagram, youtube, linkedin
