Norway Chess Women 2026: Bibisara increases her sole lead

By admin June 3, 2026 0 comments

Bibisara Assaubayeva defeated her pursuer Divya Deshmukh in Round 8 of Norway Chess Women 2026.

Bibisara is just 1.5 points away from winning the event

It seems like Bibisara Assaubayeva will run away with this tournament. She just needs to draw her last two Classical gmes to force Armageddon which means she will be guaranteed to get two points and become the champin. Even winning one Armageddon will be enough. Anna Muzychuk is five points behind her at 10.5/24, followed by Divya Deshmukh at 10/24.

Divya – Bibisara: 0-3

The FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 winner, Divya Deshmukh (2500) gained a substantial advantage against Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ, 2527). However, she could not capitalize on it and instead made an error.

Position after 42.Rb5??

42…Bxe3-+ 43.Rxb8 Bxf4 perhaps Rxf4 could have finished things sooner 44.Qf2 Qxc4 45.Ra1 Re2 46.Qf3 Re3 47.Qh5 Qe4 48.Rf1 Rh3+ and it’s over as the checkmate is unstoppable.

Bibisara Assaubayeva got the better of Divya Deshmukh for the second time at this event | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Anna – Humpy: 1-1.5

The defending champion, Anna Muzychuk (UKR, 2522) drew the Classical game against Humpy Koneru (2535). In Armageddon, Anna had her chances in the knight endgame. However, she could not capitalize and allowed Humpy to salvage a draw which means she won Armageddon and the match.

Humpy Koneru won her second Armageddon of the event | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Jiner – Wenjun: 3-0

Jiner Zhu (CHN, 2547) defeated the reigning five-time Women’s World Champion, Wenjun Ju (CHN, 2559) in a Classical battle this time. Thus, Jiner won both matches against Wenjun.

Jiner Zhu won both of her matches against Wenjun Ju at this event | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Replay Round 8 games

Round 8 Women results

Jiner Zhu (CHN) – Wenjun Ju (CHN): 3-0

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

Divya Deshmukh – Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ): 0-3

Standings after Round 8

Bibisara Assaubayeva increased her sole lead by five points to 15.5/24| Graphic: Norway Chess

Round 9 pairings

Divya Deshmukh – Jiner Zhu (CHN)

Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) – Anna Muzychuk (UKR)

Humpy Koneru – Wenjun Ju (CHN)

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.