In a post‑match interview series recorded in Mozambique, International Master Mai Narva reflects on her triumph in the rapid knockout leg of the WR Women’s Chess Tour, where she defeated GM Zhu Jin’er in a tense two‑game rapid match. She describes the intense time‑pressure situations, key positional moments such as the knight maneuver (Nb2‑c4) and a pawn‑up rook‑and‑bishop ending, and her uncertainty about the winning status of positions under severe clock stress. Narva comments on the psychological strain of the knockout rapid format, her preparation (sleep, general fitness, opponent study) and the importance of staying calm. The conversation shifts to the subsequent blitz/Armageddon stage, where she recounts her bid for time, preference for playing White, choice of the Italian opening, and the challenges of a queen‑versus‑bishop‑and‑knight endgame with only a few seconds left. She mentions the prize pool (approximately $14 K before tax), noting it as the largest she has earned, and confirms that the victory secures her spot in the WR Women’s Chess Tour finals in Stuttgart. Finally, Narva shares her positive impressions of the tour’s global diversity, the organization by WR Group, and the limited but valuable opportunity to meet new players from Africa. The interview maintains a conversational, enthusiastic tone, highlighting both the competitive and personal aspects of her experience.
Chapters
Mai Narva, big congratulations! You have won the rapid tournament of the WR Chess Women's Tour, which is taking place in Mozambique in the African continent. First of all, tell us how you're feeling after this very tense finals match against Women's World No. 4, GM Zhu Jin'er.
I'm very happy, of course. But it just ended, so I think I'm not off the adrenaline yet. So probably when I get to the room, I will realize. Right now I'm still like, yeah, it was so sudden somehow, the game. I was just struggling the whole time, so just somehow in time trouble, like, managed to win. I don't know.
Yeah, I think both the games were very interesting. There were 2 games actually in this rapid format with 15+10 time control. Uh, let's start with the first game. What are your impressions of that game?
I think she played well. I think I, I was struggling in the middle game, and, and I don't know, then because it's time trouble, then everything happened very fast. So I'm not really sure what even happened, but I guess she had a positional advantage. I was a pawn down, but then somehow in the end I was pawn up, but, and apparently, as you said, it was winning, but I didn't, I didn't actually realize during the game, so at least, so yeah.
When you entered the pawn endgame after exchanging the rooks, did you think that it should be around equal, or what was your assessment of the position then?
I was hoping it's winning, but I didn't have time to figure out how is it winning. But it seems to me it's possible that it is winning, but it was, I guess, yeah, not enough time to figure it out.
And in the second game as well, I think, uh, Dzuginar had a big time advantage, and then you started catching up. Tell us a bit about this game.
Yeah, I spent all my time because I didn't understand the position really, I guess, and it was also hard to understand what to do. But then I guess I thought up all my time, I just started making moves, and then I think she started to think how she had to play, you know. So then she caught up on time, and then somehow it was all equal, and then somehow I guess my king was more active in the end.
Uh, in the, like, in around, I would say, when you both had around 5-6 minutes on the clock, I think you found this nice maneuver, knight b2, knight c4, which was, I think, quite critical to you holding that position.
Okay, well, I don't know. Uh, I like— it seemed like it could be also losing. I thought that if I don't go knight b2, then I'm very passive. But I don't know what the computer says about this, whatever happened there. It was very unclear to me.
Yeah, and then this very special win. Of course, you won a pawn. In the rook and bishop ending.
Yeah.
And then when you won the pawn, of course you had like seconds on your clock, both of you. But did you realize that this is going to be winning, this position?
Uh, no, I understood it's winning, but then I also realized I have only seconds, so I was very scared. I'm just— at some point I played with only 2 seconds on my clock. I was like, okay, just don't lose on time because— yeah, but okay, somehow managed.
Yeah, and I think a great win for you. I think the quarterfinals and the semifinals were relatively smoother than the finals.
Yes.
But what a win. Is Zhu Jin'er the strongest opponent you've beaten so far in terms of rating?
In terms of rating, no, I don't think she's the strongest, but she's one of the One of the strongest.
Oh wow! And so I'm sure this win will mean a lot to you also in this rapid knockout format. First of all, tell us what do you make of this format and how do you enjoy playing this Women's Chess Tour event?
Okay, the event, I think it's very cool that it's happening and that so many women get to play in different continents. I find knockout format very stressful, but of course I understand it's fun to watch for people, you know, so I understand the format, but I find it personally very stressful.
Yeah, but you did come out on top. Uh, among all the games which you played today, I think you played 6 games. Okay, you thankfully did not have to go into any Armageddon games.
Yes, Armageddon was a bit of a—
but, uh, like, among the 6 games, which one would you say was your best game?
My best game? Well, definitely not the last 2 because she was better in both positions. Oh, my best game. Okay, probably either the quarter or semifinal, probably with white, but I don't know which one is better. Okay, okay, maybe we'll check later and I will see with computer and decide based on that.
And how was your preparation coming into this event? As you mentioned before, this is not the traditional sort of event like a Swiss or something. It's knockout rapid format. How did you prepare yourself for this tournament?
Uh, I looked at, like, all the opponents' games a bit, but mostly I just, you know, focused on, like, you know, sleeping enough and just being, like, in good form because, like, basically, I mean, opening, it doesn't matter. Like, anything can happen after that.
That did, and you did play a very good tournament. And now Blitz is coming up tomorrow. You do realize that with this win, you're also now qualified to the finals of the WR Women's Chess Tour, which will be happening in Stuttgart in Germany. Are you excited for that already, or it's like a, like a faraway thought which you will think of later?
I think I will think of it after Blitz. Like, I will focus first on playing the Blitz tournament, and then I'll think about other things.
All right, that's amazing to hear. Once again, big congratulations, uh, Narva, on a great performance, and best wishes for the Blitz.
Yeah, thank you.
Thank you.
It's a pleasure to be joined here by my Narva, Narva Water Performance today. This thrilling Four game blitz match against Zujiner in the finals, and you came out on top. First of all, tell me your immediate feelings.
Okay, I'm very relieved. I would say I started with two wins, and then to lose two games in a row—it was tough because the win was so close. But okay, I decided that okay Armageddon is fun, I guess in a way. So I decided okay, I'll just have fun, and it's interesting for people to watch Armageddon. So Maybe it's for the best. And with this mindset, like, I don't know, I was able to, like, you know, calm myself down and just play.
There was, like, very little time actually between the 4th game ending and the Armageddon starting. You guys were told to bid for the times, and, uh, you made a bid of, I think, 3 minutes 56 seconds, something like that?
Yeah, 3:58. Yes.
Yeah. Uh, like, did you want to get wiped? Was that the mindset?
Yes, I wanted white. I, uh, I thought, okay, I can play with black with this time, it's fine. But I preferred white because, I don't know, I just lost the previous game. I lost with black, so I didn't feel like playing with black again. So I was like, yeah, I preferred white, but okay, that's how it went.
And tell us a bit about the Armageddon game and how it went. I think at some point, uh, towards the end she lost a piece and then it was winning. But how did you approach the game and how was the opening, sort of?
Okay, I mean, it's interesting that I chose Italian, but I feel like, uh, to win, you know. But okay, I chose it because it's— there's no, no forced lines really, so it's going to be a game. And I did think that, okay, I should probably put pressure on her time. So like, as long as you just have like basically kind of a long game, like it's, uh, you know.
It should be good enough.
Yeah, the chances should be fine, even with the challenge.
And then the endgame which you entered after swapping the queens, that— what did you think of that? Did you think it was like just fine, or you were slightly better there already?
After swapping the queens?
Yeah.
Okay, I thought it's probably winning because my pawn is so far. So if I— I hadn't calculated everything yet, but I was like, okay, it's, uh— also there was no choice. I mean, I had to take queen takes d6, and I was like, okay, let's Let's see what happens.
And I have to talk to you about those first 2 blitz wins. I think both of the games were immaculate, almost no mistakes on your end. I would say both the games were pretty sweet. Which one would you say was the better one, the first or the second one?
I don't remember. Like, I have no idea. I don't even remember the games right now. Like, I will decide later. Not sure right now.
But yeah, I think all in all, so many twists and turns. And one other point I wanted to talk to you was about the very thrilling Game 3, where Zhu Jin'er made her comeback. Uh, first of all, what did you make of this position with the queen and pawn, and you had the bishop and knight and pawn? Did you think it was equal, or like, okay, should Black win some way, or—
Okay, I'm not sure. I hope that it's equal. I didn't see, like, it didn't seem so easy for her to win it. Yeah, I don't know actually. Do you know what the position was?
Yeah, I mean, I, I was checking with the engines and it said for a long time it was just equal.
Okay.
And then at some point she could have traded down to a king and pawn ending where she is winning.
Ah.
But it was like for one move and like you had, I guess, like 3 or 4 seconds on the clock. So it was, I think, pretty much impossible to find that. But like in general also, queen versus bishop and knight is also not a, not such an easy ending, right?
No, it's definitely not. The queen is just very powerful, I mean.
But, uh, yeah, I think that was quite dramatic. And, uh, there was this moment where I think, uh, your pieces fell down, uh, with a few seconds on the clock.
Oh, it was not a good moment, let's say. Uh, I took, uh, a pawn and then the pieces were falling, but I still pressed the clock, which is not a very sportsmanship thing to do. So in a sense, when she won, I was like, okay, you know what, deserved. Like, I don't know, we still didn't have to lose the 4th game, but okay.
But yeah, you did win the Armageddon, and now you have won the rapid and the blitz events of Mozambique. Uh, would you say this is like a lucky charm? Maybe you come to Mozambique for the first time and winning both the events now.
Okay, I mean, it would be fun.
Yes, it's, it's Mozambique, that's why I won. But, uh, okay, definitely in the games was some luck. But I guess I was also feeling fine, which is very important to know. And I really tried to focus hard and try to— even when I lost, like now, a couple of games, I tried to still think, okay, it's fine, like I will now focus on the next game. It's very important to, you know, just forget about the past, kind of.
Do you know much, like, do you know how much money you're taking back home with the prizes?
Uh, yeah, I I think so. I think the total is like $14K, but there will be some taxes and then I don't know, so a bit less, but still.
Would you say this is the biggest amount of prize money you have won in a tournament?
Uh, yes, yes it is.
Wow, I mean, that's so amazing. I'm sure there will be messages coming from back home now. I'd like to check how you did and In the blitz, I think the quarterfinals and semifinals were quite smooth for you. You scored big wins in both the matches. Uh, any particular game which stood out for you?
Okay, I think the semifinals first game was, uh, a bit shaky. Uh, I somehow won even, but I think it was not going well at some points. But okay, other No, but I was very happy to win all my matches. I mean, it's knockout and blitz, like anything can happen. So I was just, yeah, I was just glad to win any games basically.
And now of course you sealed your spot at Stuttgart for the finals yesterday, but with this win, okay, it's like now doubly sure you're going there to play the WRT finals. And overall, how were your impressions of this event and the Women's Chess Tour, which WR Group has organized?
Like, what's my impressions of this tournament, of the series, and the like tour in general? No, I'm very glad it's happening. I also think it's nice that there's, you know, it's so diverse, like people play from all the continents and it is well organized. And I think it's very nice this tour is happening. Of course, well, since I'm also winning it, then of course I'm very glad, but I think it's nice, yes.
And did you also get to meet some new players or make some, like, new connections as a chess player here? Because generally the players from the African continent don't get to travel so much or get to play in big events so much. Did you get to see some new players here and, like, meet them, maybe speak with them?
Yeah, I spoke to some players, yes. But okay, it's, uh, 2 days now the tournament is over, so not too much time to make connections, but Of course, like I'm always happy to play with new people. I mean, it gets tiring to play with the same people all the time, so it's nice to play with new people.
Amazing, Mai Narva. Huge congratulations on this win. I wish you all the best for all the tournaments which are coming up next, and best wishes for the WR Women's Chess Tour finals. Yeah, thank you. Thank you.
The name is difficult. It's Nirva. What's that name, Niva?
Niva Mai.
Niva Mai. Aqui está a vencedora do torneio feminino. And, and the winner of the rapids portion is...
