Is Norway Chess the strongest women's event according to World No. 8 Anna Muzychuk?

New Delhi, May 6 (NationPress) Anna Muzychuk's commitment to chess is evident from her full schedule. Following an impressive triumph at the renowned Nicosia Women’s Grand Prix in March, the Ukrainian Grandmaster redirected her attention to the ongoing Austria Grand Prix.

This tournament marks her final Grand Prix of the current cycle, but a week later, the 35-year-old will head to the eagerly awaited 2025 Norway Women’s Chess to face off against top talents in the sport.

"While it is fantastic to achieve victories, it is essential to keep pushing forward and concentrate on upcoming tournaments and objectives," stated Anna.

With reigning World Champion Ju Wenjin, Indian chess icon Koneru Humpy, as well as Lei Tingjie, Vaishali R, and Sarasadat Khademalsharieh in the lineup, Anna, who was the runner-up in last year’s inaugural Norway Chess Women’s tournament, anticipates a highly competitive and unpredictable environment this year.

"In terms of ratings, I believe this is the strongest women’s event. It will be exceedingly challenging. Each competitor stands a genuine chance of winning. I am really looking forward to it," she added.

Growing up in western Ukraine, Anna began her chess journey at a young age, influenced by her sister Mariya, who is also a grandmaster, and her parents, who are chess coaches.

With chess enjoying immense popularity, both sisters dedicated countless hours to training to keep pace with the competition.

"I was born in 1990 when Ukraine was still part of the Soviet Union. A year later, it became an independent nation, but the chess culture in our region was already well-established. We had access to coaches and tournaments, and chess was widely embraced. Many from my generation became grandmasters, which speaks to the strength of our community," Anna shared.

However, the path to excellence often involves sacrifices and tough decisions, particularly in sports. Anna highlighted the challenges of a chess career, stating, "We witness young players achieving grandmaster status at just 12. Achieving that level requires immense dedication."

"Today, starting too late is not an option if you aspire to reach the top. You must constantly evaluate whether you are willing to forgo your childhood for this pursuit. It hinges on the child’s determination and the support they receive from their parents," she elaborated.

Anna has already reached numerous milestones in her career, including multiple world titles in Blitz and Rapid Chess, and holds the Grandmaster title. However, she still aspires to complete her collection by winning the Women’s World title in classical chess, which she narrowly missed in 2017. With her focus on her sporting ambitions, can Anna strike a balance between her personal and professional life?

"It’s always challenging. Some players juggle both aspects successfully. But even if you’re not at the pinnacle, it remains tough. Currently, I am single and have no children, so I can’t fully assess how I would manage both when that time comes," she remarked.

Whenever she finds a moment of free time, Anna enjoys spending it with friends and family or attending musical performances. She also has a keen interest in learning foreign languages, programming, and has recently developed a fascination with hairstyling. "If I weren’t a chess player, I might have pursued a career in the hairstyling industry," she chuckled.

Anna has been a strong advocate for women's rights in chess and has championed the growth of female players in the game. With Norway Chess offering equal pay for men and women, she believes this will inspire more female players to engage with the sport.

"All participants are immensely grateful to the organizers of Norway Chess for implementing equal prize funds for both genders. This will serve as added motivation for young girls worldwide," she concluded.