Can Wenjun Ju win Norway Chess Women 2024?
Vaishali suffered her third Classical game loss at Norway Chess Women 2024. It was against Tingjie Lei (CHN) in the penultimate round. Wenjun Ju (CHN) defeated Koneru Humpy in Armageddon. The latter made some irrevocable mistakes in the middlegame and had to pay a heavy price for it. Anna Muzychuk (UKR) made the fastest draw of the day against Pia Cramling (SWE). However, the legend Pia made a one-move queen blunder in Armageddon which allowed Anna to win the game and match. If Tingjie beats Wenjun and Anna wins against Humpy in Classical games, then we will see Playoffs. Round 10 starts today from 5 p.m. CET, 8:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Norway Chess/Stev Bonhage
Tingjie and Anna can force Playoffs
If Wenjun Ju (CHN) beats her compatriot Tingjie Lei (CHN), she becomes a clear champion, there is no question of tie-breaks. However, if Tingjie and Anna Muzychuk (UKR) wins their respective Classical games, then Tingjie and Anna will battle in Playoffs. If Wenjun wins Armageddon and Anna wins Classical then the Playoff will be between Wenjun and Anna. So, a Playoff is a possibility but only between two players.
Tingjie - Vaishali: 1.5-1
In a queenless middlegame, Vaishali's (2489) unsound play against Tingjie Lei (CHN, 2548) ended things in a hurry.
17...Rxd8 would have kept things in balance. 17...Kxd8? started creating previously non-existent problems for Black 18.Bxc4 Ng4? did not help Black's case 19.Bxc5 Bxh2+ 20.Kf1 Re5 21.Rd1+ and White won in another five moves.
Humpy - Wenjun - Pia: 3-0
The Classical game between Koneru Humpy (2545) and Wenjun Ju (CHN, 2558) once again ended in a draw. Humpy collapsed in Armageddon. Thus the reigning Women's World Champion won the game and maintained her sole lead.
Pia - Anna: 1-1.5
Pia Cramling (SWE, 2447) had a quick 20-move draw via threefold repetition against Anna Muzychuk (UKR, 2505). Anna won Armageddon after Pia blundered her queen in one move in an equal queen and opposite color bishop endgame.
Replay live stream
Replay Round 9 games
Round 9 results
Tingjie Lei - Vaishali R: 3-0
Koneru Humpy - Wenjun Ju: 1-1.5
Pia Cramling - Anna Muzychuk: 1-1.5
Standings after Round 9
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
Round 10 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
