Grandmaster Humpy Koneru, India’s evergreen chess icon, has reignited the chessboard in Stavanger, reclaiming the sole lead at the 2nd Norway Chess Women’s tournament with a commanding victory over Sara Khadem in Round 8 with patience and steel-sharp precision. 

Scoring a full 3 points under the scoring system, she now stands tall at 13.5 points, ahead of formidable contenders Anna Muzychuk and Ju Wenjun, both trailing by a full point. In this  tournament, Humpy is crafting a masterpiece with wisdom and experience. 

Inside the Mind of a Grandmaster!

The eighth round saw Humpy playing with black and swiftly moving into a position of subtle pressure. With Khadem's weakening 20.f3 push, Humpy created a positional masterpiece, targeting the soft e3 square and coaxing White into uncomfortable territory. 

Although time trouble briefly shadowed her precision, Humpy’s poise prevailed, turning the heat into a win. Known for her historic 2002 World Junior Girls' Championship win and being the youngest female GM of her time, Humpy continues to shatter ceilings two decades on.

Strategy and Grace: The Final Rounds Await!

The Norway Chess Women tournament has emerged as one of the most prestigious and high-intensity arenas for the world’s top women players, blending classical, Armageddon, and blitz formats. With just two rounds remaining post the rest day, all eyes are on Humpy, who holds the advantage and the experience to carry this all the way. 

Humpy’s calm brilliance and enduring flair shines the brightest. As she steps into the final battles, India watches with bated breath, cheering not just for a win, but for the story of a chess queen who never stopped conquering.