Norway Chess Women 2026: Bibisara regains her sole lead

By admin June 1, 2026 0 comments

Bibisara Assaubayeva defeated Humpy Koneru in Armageddon to be back at the top of Norway Chess Women 2026.

Tough day for the Indians

Humpy Koneru decided to go for a quick draw in the Classical against Bibisara Assaubayeva. That backfired as Bibisara won Armageddon comfortably. Divya Deshmukh missed her second chance in the game to make a comeback after her opponent, Wenjun Ju was unable to maintain her upperhand. Anna Muzychuk missed a late chance in the rook endgame to beat Jiner Zhu. It ended in a draw and Jiner won Armageddon. Currently, Divya is trailing Bibisara by one point at 8.5/18, followed by Wenjun and Anna at 8/18 each.

Bibisara Assaubayeva regained her sole lead | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Divya – Wenjun: 0-3

The five-time reigning Women’s World Champion, Wenjun Ju (CHN, 2559) scored her first Classical victory of the event against FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 winner, Divya Deshmukh (2500). It was evident from Wenjun’s play that she was determined to push for a win. Divya’s incoherent play did not help her either. After getting the decisive advantage, Wenjun played slightly incorrectly which delayed the win for her.

Divya Deshmukh missed her second chance to get back in the game against the Women’s World Champion, Wenjun Ju | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Bibisara – Humpy: 1.5-1

The reigning three-time World Blitz Women’s champion Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ, 2527) and Humpy Koneru (2535) played a quick 15-move draw. The decision backfired for Humpy as she lost Armageddon, resulting in both matches loss against Bibisara at this event.

Bibisara Assaubayeva comfortably won Armageddon to regain her sole lead| Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Jiner – Anna: 1.5-1

Anna Muzychuk (UKR, 2522) got a tiny bit of opportunity in the Classical game against Jiner Zhu (CHN, 2546).

Position after 68.h7??

68.h7?? was a mistake as Black should have taken the e4-pawn first before playing Rh4. Playing 68…Rh4? directly removed Black’s chances and the game ended in a draw. Jiner won the must-win Armageddon with white pieces to win the match and beat Anna for the second time at this event.

Jiner Zhu got the better of Anna Muzychuk on both occassion | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Replay Round 6 games

Round 6 Women results

Jiner Zhu (CHN) – Anna Muzychuk (UKR): 1.5-1

Divya Deshmukh – Wenjun Ju (CHN): 0-3

Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) – Humpy Koneru: 1.5-1

Standings after Round 6

Bibisara Assaubayeva regained her sole lead 9.5/18| Graphic: Norway Chess

Round 7 pairings

Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) – Jiner Zhu (CHN)

Humpy Koneru – Divya Deshmukh

Wenjun Ju (CHN) – 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.