Norway Chess Women 2026: Divya scores a hat-trick of Armageddon wins

By admin May 28, 2026 0 comments

Divya Deshmukh won her third consecutive Armageddon in Round 3 of Norway Chess Women 2026.

Armageddon decides all three again

For the second consecutive round, all three matches were decided via Armageddon. While Divya Deshmukh won her third consecutive Armageddon, the reigning five-time Women’s World Champion, Wenjun Ju lost all three.

Divya Deshmukh has reduced the gap with the sole leader Bibisara Assaubayeva by defeating her in Armageddon | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Bibisara – Divya: 1-1.5

The rivalry between Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ, 2527) and Divya Deshmukh (2500) started a little over 13 years ago at World School Under-9 Girls Championship in 2013. They have played a half of dozen Classical rated games against each other. Bibisara won two, Divya won one and the remaining three ended in draws. Their seventh Classical battle was a relatively calm draw. Divya managed to draw her Armageddon game. Since she had the black pieces, it was enough for her to win the match.

Divya Deshmukh registered her third consecutive Armageddon win | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Wenjun – Jiner: 1-1.5

The reigning five-times Women’s World Champion, Wenjun Ju (CHN, 2559) and Jiner Zhu (CHN, 2546) faced each other nine times in Classical rated games. Wenjun won four and the remaining five games ended in draws. In their tenth Classical battle, Jiner had some chances once her opponent sacrificed her queen for a rook and knight. However, it was not easy and the game ended in a draw. In Armageddon, Wenjun could not capitalize on her advantage on multiple occasion, allowing her opponent Jiner to escape with a draw which means Jiner won the match.

Wenjun Ju suffered her third consecutive loss via Armageddon | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Humpy – Anna: 1-1.5

The legend, Humpy Koneru (2535) and Anna Muzychuk (UKR, 2522) faced each other exactly on their 20th anniversary since their first encounter at 37th Olympiad in 2005. They have played two dozen Classical rated games against each other. Humpy has won four, Anna six and the remaining 14 games ended in draws. Their 25th Classical game ended in a draw. Anna opted for her favorite Dutch structure in response to 1.b3 in Armageddon.

Armageddon

Position after 32…Ne3??

Humpy missed a win here 33.Rxh6+! Bxh6 34.Qb2+ and Black loses queen either way. 34…Bg7 leads to a quicker finish via checkmate 35.Qh2+. Humpy missed her chance when she played 33.Qf3 and Anna eventually won the game and match.

Humpy Koneru lost her second consecutive Armageddon | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Round 3 in progress | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Replay Round 3 games

Round 3 Women results

Wenjun Ju (CHN) – Jiner Zhu (CHN): 1-1.5

Humpy Koneru – Anna Muzychuk (UKR): 1-1.5

Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) – Divya Deshmukh: 1-1.5

Standings after Round 3

Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) maintains her sole lead 5.5/9 | Graphic: Norway Chess / Tor Nilssen & Kjetil V. Tveito

Round 4 pairings

Humpy Koneru – Jiner Zhu (CHN)

Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) – Wenjun Ju (CHN)

Divya Deshmukh – Anna Muzychuk (UKR)

Open and Women pairings of all rounds | Graphic: Norway Chess

Format

6 players will take part in the Tournament.

The Tournament is a double-round event with Armageddon.

The Tournament consists of 10 rounds.

Berger tables will be used for the pairings.

Default time is 15 minutes.

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.