Norway Chess is the strongest, says World No.8 Anna Muzychuk

With reigning World Champion Ju Wenjin, Indian legend Koneru Humpy, along with Lei Tingjie, Vaishali R and Sarasadat Khademalsharieh in the fray, Anna, who finished as the runner-up last year in the inaugural edition of Norway Chess Women's tournament, expects a strong and unpredictable competition this year

Hyderabad: World No. 8 and winner of Nicosia Women’s Grand Prix in March, Ukrainian GM Anna Muzychuk says that Norway Chess is the strongest women’s event in terms of ratings

The 35-year-old Anna now shifted her focus completely towards the Austria Grand Prix, currently underway. While it would be her final Grand Prix of the ongoing cycle, the 35-year-old would travel a week later for the highly anticipated 2025 edition of Norway Women’s Chess to compete against some of the top talents of the sport.

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“It’s great to have successes, but you always have to go forward and focus on the next tournaments and next goals,” Anna said.

With reigning World Champion Ju Wenjin, Indian legend Koneru Humpy, along with Lei Tingjie, Vaishali R and Sarasadat Khademalsharieh in the fray, Anna, who finished as the runner-up last year in the inaugural edition of Norway Chess Women’s tournament, expects a strong and unpredictable competition this year.

“I think it’s the strongest women’s event if we are looking at the ratings. It will be super tough. Each participant has a real chance to win it. I think it will be exciting, and I am really looking forward to it,” Anna said.

The Ukrainian hopes one day to complete the set of trophy collections by winning the Women’s World title in classical chess, a title she narrowly missed out in 2017.

“It’s always difficult. We see that some players manage both parts of life. But even if you are not at the very top, it’s still hard. Right now, I am not married and do not have kids. So when I do have them, then I will be able to better tell how I am managing both,”Anna said.

Anna has also been quite vocal on equal rights for women over the years and also has been an advocate for growth of female players in chess. With Norway Chess providing equal pay for men and women, Anna feels it will motivate more female players to pick up the sport.