Norway Chess: Anna Muzichuk draws less publicity, but after the title of women, Magnus Karlsen earns the same award amount as chess news
New Delhi: “In the Games, you never know what will happen,” GM Anna Muzichuk said during a conversation with Timesophindia.com last February. Subsequently, Ukraine’s number 1 was looking ahead of 2025 with vigilant optimism.Five months later, Muzichuk has three back-to-back classical chess titles under its belt: Nicosia Grand Prix in March, Grounding Grand Prix in May, and now reputed Norway Chess.Despite its consistent look, the current world number 6 (based on live rating) entered the Stavanger event without much pomp.Go beyond the border with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!Instead, the spotlight was to rule emerging stars such as world champion Joo Wenjun, former champion Lee Tingji, India’s Konu Hampi, and Vari Rameshbabu and Sara Khadem.In the circles of social media and chess, most of the conversations ignored Muzichuk’s quiet speed, while the global meditation was taken to big names in the open section: Magnus Carlsen’s return to the classical chess, his on-board rivalry against world champion D Gukesh, and Hakaru Nakamura, Arjun Arigian, and Elite players.Among this high-profile artists, Muzichuk stayed away from public investigation-even when their results did not talk.“Last year, I finished second behind the women’s world champion … if I could win it, it would be amazing,” Ukraine’s top-rated Grandmaster said before the tournament.He did, and he did it easily. The 35 -year -old was the only player in the women’s field to be unbeaten in classical sports this year.With four classical victories and stable results in the Armagadon round, he scored 16.5 points, which was enough to promote the rest and secure the title.Along with the trophy, Muzichuk also received NOK 700,000 (about 59 lakh rupees), the same amount was given to Carlson to win the open section.The version first offered Norway Chess the same prize money in both classes, which was a step as an important step for women’s chess.“For us, as women, we are very excited about it. It is very important and a big step ahead,” Muzichuk said earlier. “As you know, in general, there are more open tournaments, which are mainly for men, and prize funds in those tournaments are usually more. So we will prefer to watch more women’s events with high prizes. It will be a great inspiration for us and the next generation, showing what such tournaments are present and what they are aspiring to receive.,
Anna Muzichuk (Norway Chess/Michal Valasza)
The format of Norway Chess is unique.A win in classical era earns 3 points. An draw leads to an armgaden tiebreak, where a win offers 1.5 points and a loss, 1 point.ALSO READ: Rs 50,000 per month and countless sacrifices: How India’s chess shapes in Chennai HutIn Armagadon, White gets 10 minutes and should win; Black gets 7 minutes (with an increase of 1-second after 41) and wins the game if it ends in the draw.“Typically, in my case in Armagadon, I just play the game, but I always take care that a draw black is a blast. So if I have any option between making simple or something more complex, I can like the simple choice,” Muzichuk explained. “If I am white, I can go for complexity. But if I get a chance to force a draw forever, I can take it instead of putting everything at risk.”With this title, Muzichuk today strengthened his position as one of the most consistent artists in women’s chess, even though the spotlight has not always been followed.
