Norway Chess Women 2026: Anna ends Divya’s unbeaten streak

By admin May 29, 2026 0 comments

Anna Muzychuk ended Divya Deshmukh’s unbeaten run in Round 4 of Norway Chess Women 2026.

Humpy’s tough form continues

Bibisara Assaubayeva bounced back with a victory over the reigning five-time Women’s World Champion, Wenjun Ju. The three-time current World Blitz Women’s champion, Bibisara moved to 7/12. Divya Deshmukh’s unbeaten run came to an end against Anna Muzychuk. Jiner Zhu defeated Humpy Koneru via Armageddon. Divya, Anna and Jiner, all three are at 5.5/12 each. Humpy has lost her third consecutive Armageddon.

Divya – Anna: 1-1.5

Divya Deshmukh (2500) and Anna Muzychuk (UKR, 2522) have played three Classical rated games against each other. They had all three different results between them. Divya got a substantial advantage in the middlegame. However, she could not make the most out of it. Anna fought well and managed to salvage a draw. In Armageddon, Divya managed to get back in the game from a difficult position. However, she had a momentary blindspot and blundered her queen she gave a discover check, overlooking the fact that her very queen was under attack by her opponent’s. Thus, Divya lost her first Armageddon of the event.

Divya Deshmukh suffered her first Armageddon loss against Anna Muzychuk | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Humpy – Jiner: 1-1.5

The legend, Humpy Koneru (2535) and Jiner Zhu (CHN, 2546) have played four Classical rated games against each other. Both of them won a game each and the remaining two ended in draws. Their fifth Classical game also ended in a draw. In Armageddon, Humpy was in a virtual must-win situation as she had the white pieces. She played ambitiously and it backfired. Thus, Humpy conceded her third consecutive loss.

Humpy Koneru suffered her third consecutive Armageddon loss | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Bibisara – Wenjun: 1.5-1

After a draw in the Classical game, Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) defeated the reigning five-time Women’s World Champion, Wenjun Ju (CHN). Bibisara bounced back with a victory in Armageddon. Thus, Wenjun losing her fourth consecutive Armageddon.

Bibisara Assaubayeva bounced back with a victory | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Replay Round 4 games

Round 4 Women results

Humpy Koneru – Jiner Zhu (CHN): 1-1.5

Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) – Wenjun Ju (CHN): 1.5-1

Divya Deshmukh – Anna Muzychuk (UKR): 1.5-1

Standings after Round 4

Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) still in sole lead 7/12 | Graphic: Norway Chess / Tor Nilssen & Kjetil V. Tveito

Round 5 pairings

Jiner Zhu (CHN) – Divya Deshmukh

Anna Muzychuk (UKR) – Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ)

Wenjun Ju (CHN) – Humpy Koneru

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.