Shanghai and Chongqing to host 2025 FIDE Women’s World Championship Match
World Championship Matches are the pinnacle of chess, and this year we will witness the 2025 FIDE Women's World Chess Championship, featuring a highly anticipated rematch between two of China's top Grandmasters: the reigning Champion, Ju Wenjun, and the Challenger, Tan Zhongyi. With regulations set to be finalized soon, here is all the information you need to know about what the match entails.
The Match
The 2025 FIDE Women's World Chess Championship match between Ju Wenjun and Tan Zhongyi will follow a 12-game format. The first player to score 6.5 points will be declared the winner.
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The time control for each game is 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move 1.
If the match is tied at 6-6 after all 12 games, a tiebreak will determine the champion. The tiebreak procedure typically involves a series of rapid and, if necessary, blitz games to ensure a decisive outcome.
The Players
JU WENJUN
Ju Wenjun has been a dominant force in women's chess, achieving numerous accolades throughout her career. She first claimed the Women's World Chess Championship title in 2018 by defeating Tan Zhongyi by a score of 5½–4½. Later that year, she retained her title by winning the 64-player knockout tournament. Ju successfully defended her crown twice more: in 2020 against Aleksandra Goryachkina and in 2023 against Lei Tingjie.
Photo: Lennart Ootes
Her versatility is further highlighted by her victories in the Women's World Rapid Chess Championship in 2017 and 2018, and the Women's World Blitz Chess Championship in 2024. As a key member of the Chinese national women's chess team, Ju contributed to gold medal victories in the 2016 and 2018 Chess Olympiads, as well as the Women's World Team Chess Championships in 2009 and 2011.
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TAN ZHONGYI
Tan Zhongyi has been a prominent figure in the chess world for over a decade. She began her chess journey at a young age, securing multiple youth titles, which laid a strong foundation for her future in the women’s elite. In 2017, Tan won the Women's World Chess Championship, defeating GM Anna Muzychuk in rapid tiebreaks. She relinquished the title to Ju Wenjun in 2018 but continued to amass accolades, including winning the Women's World Rapid Championship in 2022 and the Cairns Cup in 2024. She earned her spot in the 2025 championship by triumphing in the Women's Candidates Tournament 2024 with a dominant performance.
Photo: Michal Walusza
She is a five-time national champion, winning the titles in 2015, 2020, 2021, and 2022. Tan was also part of the 2016 gold-winning Olympiad team, where she also won an individual gold medal for board 4.
This upcoming match between Ju Wenjun and Tan Zhongyi is a testament to China's dominance in women's chess. Both players have demonstrated exceptional skill and determination, making this championship a highly anticipated event in the chess community.
Schedule and Venues
The title match is scheduled to take place from April 1 to 23, 2025, across two Chinese cities: Shanghai and Chongqing.
Shanghai, the hometown of Ju Wenjun, is a global financial hub with a rich history of hosting international chess events. The city boasts several active chess clubs, including Chess in Shanghai, which organizes weekly tournaments and has been a cornerstone for chess players in the area. The Shanghai Chess League also contributes to the city's vibrant chess scene by hosting regular competitions. Shanghai provides an ideal setting to commence the championship, and will host the first 6 games of the match.
Chongqing, Tan Zhongyi's hometown, offers a contrasting yet complementary backdrop to Shanghai. The city has gained recognition for its contributions to the chess community, having hosted significant tournaments such as the 2023 FIDE Women's Candidates Final. Chongqing is a major center for chess in China, with numerous clubs and academies fostering talent and promoting the game. This makes it a fitting venue for the championship's conclusion, celebrating the city's growing prominence in the chess world.
The 2025 FIDE Women's World Chess Championship Match not only promises a thrilling contest between two of the world's best female chess players but also serves as a celebration of chess's rich cultural heritage in China. Fans worldwide eagerly await this clash of titans, anticipating games that will be analyzed and remembered for years to come.
Shanghai and Chongqing to host 2025 FIDE Women’s World Championship Match
World Championship Matches are the pinnacle of chess, and this year we will witness the 2025 FIDE Women's World Chess Championship, featuring a highly anticipated rematch between two of China's top Grandmasters: the reigning Champion, Ju Wenjun, and the Challenger, Tan Zhongyi. With regulations set to be finalized soon, here is all the information you need to know about what the match entails.
The Match
The 2025 FIDE Women's World Chess Championship match between Ju Wenjun and Tan Zhongyi will follow a 12-game format. The first player to score 6.5 points will be declared the winner.
Werbung
The time control for each game is 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move 1.
If the match is tied at 6-6 after all 12 games, a tiebreak will determine the champion. The tiebreak procedure typically involves a series of rapid and, if necessary, blitz games to ensure a decisive outcome.
The Players
JU WENJUN
Ju Wenjun has been a dominant force in women's chess, achieving numerous accolades throughout her career. She first claimed the Women's World Chess Championship title in 2018 by defeating Tan Zhongyi by a score of 5½–4½. Later that year, she retained her title by winning the 64-player knockout tournament. Ju successfully defended her crown twice more: in 2020 against Aleksandra Goryachkina and in 2023 against Lei Tingjie.
Photo: Lennart Ootes
Her versatility is further highlighted by her victories in the Women's World Rapid Chess Championship in 2017 and 2018, and the Women's World Blitz Chess Championship in 2024. As a key member of the Chinese national women's chess team, Ju contributed to gold medal victories in the 2016 and 2018 Chess Olympiads, as well as the Women's World Team Chess Championships in 2009 and 2011.
TAN ZHONGYI
Tan Zhongyi has been a prominent figure in the chess world for over a decade. She began her chess journey at a young age, securing multiple youth titles, which laid a strong foundation for her future in the women’s elite. In 2017, Tan won the Women's World Chess Championship, defeating GM Anna Muzychuk in rapid tiebreaks. She relinquished the title to Ju Wenjun in 2018 but continued to amass accolades, including winning the Women's World Rapid Championship in 2022 and the Cairns Cup in 2024. She earned her spot in the 2025 championship by triumphing in the Women's Candidates Tournament 2024 with a dominant performance.
Photo: Michal Walusza
She is a five-time national champion, winning the titles in 2015, 2020, 2021, and 2022. Tan was also part of the 2016 gold-winning Olympiad team, where she also won an individual gold medal for board 4.
This upcoming match between Ju Wenjun and Tan Zhongyi is a testament to China's dominance in women's chess. Both players have demonstrated exceptional skill and determination, making this championship a highly anticipated event in the chess community.
Schedule and Venues
The title match is scheduled to take place from April 1 to 23, 2025, across two Chinese cities: Shanghai and Chongqing.
Werbung
Shanghai, the hometown of Ju Wenjun, is a global financial hub with a rich history of hosting international chess events. The city boasts several active chess clubs, including Chess in Shanghai, which organizes weekly tournaments and has been a cornerstone for chess players in the area. The Shanghai Chess League also contributes to the city's vibrant chess scene by hosting regular competitions. Shanghai provides an ideal setting to commence the championship, and will host the first 6 games of the match.
Chongqing, Tan Zhongyi's hometown, offers a contrasting yet complementary backdrop to Shanghai. The city has gained recognition for its contributions to the chess community, having hosted significant tournaments such as the 2023 FIDE Women's Candidates Final. Chongqing is a major center for chess in China, with numerous clubs and academies fostering talent and promoting the game. This makes it a fitting venue for the championship's conclusion, celebrating the city's growing prominence in the chess world.
The 2025 FIDE Women's World Chess Championship Match not only promises a thrilling contest between two of the world's best female chess players but also serves as a celebration of chess's rich cultural heritage in China. Fans worldwide eagerly await this clash of titans, anticipating games that will be analyzed and remembered for years to come.
Tan Zhongyi hat die zweite Partie der Frauen-Weltmeisterschaft in Shanghai gewonnen und führt nun mit 1,5:0,5 gegen Titelverteidigerin Ju Wenjun. Nach einem weitgehend ausgeglichenen Turmendspiel brachte sich Ju mit passivem Spiel selbst in Schwierigkeiten. Den entscheidenden Fehler machte sie im 40. Zug, als sie den Bauernzug b4 verpasste und ihr Turm auf f5 fehlplatziert war. Tan nutzte die Gelegenheit und verwandelte ihren Stellungsvorteil souverän in einen Sieg.
Es ist ein Déjà-vu mit vertauschten Rollen: 2018 hatte Ju nach einem Remis zum Auftakt die Partien zwei und drei gewonnen. Dieses Mal muss sie nach dem Ruhetag zurückkommen – sonst droht der Verlust des Titels.
Tan Zhongyi hat die zweite Partie der Frauen-Weltmeisterschaft in Shanghai gewonnen und führt nun mit 1,5:0,5 gegen Titelverteidigerin Ju Wenjun. Nach einem weitgehend ausgeglichenen Turmendspiel brachte sich Ju mit passivem Spiel selbst in Schwierigkeiten. Den entscheidenden Fehler machte sie im 40. Zug, als sie den Bauernzug b4 verpasste und ihr Turm auf f5 fehlplatziert war. Tan nutzte die Gelegenheit und verwandelte ihren Stellungsvorteil souverän in einen Sieg.
Es ist ein Déjà-vu mit vertauschten Rollen: 2018 hatte Ju nach einem Remis zum Auftakt die Partien zwei und drei gewonnen. Dieses Mal muss sie nach dem Ruhetag zurückkommen – sonst droht der Verlust des Titels.
Ju Wenjun moves within reach of the title with fourth consecutive win
In Game 8 of the FIDE Women’s World Championship Match, Tan Zhongyi changed her strategy, deviating from her usual English Opening in an attempt to shake things up and force a result. But despite the challenger’s fighting intentions, World Champion Ju Wenjun once again demonstrated why she now stands just half a point away from securing a fourth consecutive title.
For the first time in the match, we saw a departure from the opening script. Tan had been consistently starting with 1.c4, but today she chose to break not only from that pattern but also from her standard repertoire. She played 1.e4—famously described by Bobby Fischer as “the best by test”—a logical choice for Tan Zhongyi, who needed more than a slight opening advantage. She needed to win.
The first ceremonial moves in Game 8 were made by Chen Shenglin, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board, Dana Reizniece.
Let’s once again assess the psychological landscape of the match heading into the game: Ju has just achieved a hat trick, winning three consecutive games and taking a commanding 5–3 lead. With only 6.5 points needed to retain her title, she entered the game with confidence and control. Ju is a champion in her prime—focused, composed, and resolute. She told us in an interview before the match (which you can watch here) that her greatest strength as a world champion is not just hard work, but “concentration.” Watching her during the games—barely leaving her chair and maintaining unwavering focus —it’s clear her actions reflect her words. And this quality has brought her within reach of another successful title defense.
Tan, on the other hand, is in a position few would envy: three points behind, under immense pressure, with the world watching. She must fight tooth and nail for every point. Prior to the match, Tan radiated confidence, and we saw glimpses of this in the early games – perhaps too much at times, as she played too quickly in complex positions that required more careful calculation. But that confidence now appears shaken. In recent games, she has hesitated too long in moments that demanded determination. Today, her play reflected a mix of confidence and desperation. She sacrificed a pawn without compensation, and Ju converted the advantage with precise and elegant play.
The game began with a Vienna, later transposing into a Bishop’s Opening hybrid – an old system that has been tested recently on the highest level. Even playing with the black pieces, Ju found her rhythm early. White never gained the initiative and in fact, it was Black who took the reins. A puzzling decision by Tan allowed Ju to capture an important central pawn and take control of the game.
Here, instead of 25.exf5 with a roughly equal position 25.Qd4? was played and Ju simply captured on e4. The resulting position was clearly better for Black, but what followed was truly impressive.
Here, Ju played the brilliant 28…e3!, sacrificing a pawn to open the diagonal for her queen to target the vulnerable c2-pawn. After 29.Qxe3 Qxc2, Tan responded with 30.Qa7 instead of capturing on b5, allowing 30…bxc4 and giving Black a dominant passed pawn. Tan fought back, picking up the c7 and d6 pawns and activating her knight, but the position was already beyond repair. Queens were soon exchanged, and the resulting endgame, Black’s bishop versus White’s knight, with a dangerous passed c-pawn, was completely in Ju’s hands. While she could have chosen a simpler path, the champion trusted her endgame technique and finished the game with confidence.
Another beautiful moment when Ju displayed her skill and showed why she is the World Champion, came on move 45:
Here Black had to find 45…Bxf3, and once again Ju Wenjun did not disappoint. Black gives up the bishop in exchange for both White’s kingside pawns. 46.Nxf3 Kg4 47.Nd4 Kxg3 and the h-pawn cost White the knight.
Tomorrow is a rest day, and the players will return for game 9 on Wednesday. With just half a point needed, Ju can secure the title with a draw. Will this be the final chapter of the match, or will Tan regroup and come back with renewed fire?
Game 9 will take place on Wednesday, April 16, at 15:00 local time. Ju Wenjun will have the White pieces.
FACT SHEET, Game 8, FIDE Women’s World Championship 2025: White: Tan Zhongyi Black: Ju Wenjun Result: 0-1 Opening: Vienna Game length: 53 moves Match score: 6-2 (in favour of Ju Wenjun)
Ju Wenjun moves within reach of the title with fourth consecutive win
In Game 8 of the FIDE Women’s World Championship Match, Tan Zhongyi changed her strategy, deviating from her usual English Opening in an attempt to shake things up and force a result. But despite the challenger’s fighting intentions, World Champion Ju Wenjun once again demonstrated why she now stands just half a point away from securing a fourth consecutive title.
For the first time in the match, we saw a departure from the opening script. Tan had been consistently starting with 1.c4, but today she chose to break not only from that pattern but also from her standard repertoire. She played 1.e4—famously described by Bobby Fischer as “the best by test”—a logical choice for Tan Zhongyi, who needed more than a slight opening advantage. She needed to win.
The first ceremonial moves in Game 8 were made by Chen Shenglin, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board, Dana Reizniece.
Let’s once again assess the psychological landscape of the match heading into the game: Ju has just achieved a hat trick, winning three consecutive games and taking a commanding 5–3 lead. With only 6.5 points needed to retain her title, she entered the game with confidence and control. Ju is a champion in her prime—focused, composed, and resolute. She told us in an interview before the match (which you can watch here) that her greatest strength as a world champion is not just hard work, but “concentration.” Watching her during the games—barely leaving her chair and maintaining unwavering focus —it’s clear her actions reflect her words. And this quality has brought her within reach of another successful title defense.
Tan, on the other hand, is in a position few would envy: three points behind, under immense pressure, with the world watching. She must fight tooth and nail for every point. Prior to the match, Tan radiated confidence, and we saw glimpses of this in the early games – perhaps too much at times, as she played too quickly in complex positions that required more careful calculation. But that confidence now appears shaken. In recent games, she has hesitated too long in moments that demanded determination. Today, her play reflected a mix of confidence and desperation. She sacrificed a pawn without compensation, and Ju converted the advantage with precise and elegant play.
The game began with a Vienna, later transposing into a Bishop’s Opening hybrid – an old system that has been tested recently on the highest level. Even playing with the black pieces, Ju found her rhythm early. White never gained the initiative and in fact, it was Black who took the reins. A puzzling decision by Tan allowed Ju to capture an important central pawn and take control of the game.
Here, instead of 25.exf5 with a roughly equal position 25.Qd4? was played and Ju simply captured on e4. The resulting position was clearly better for Black, but what followed was truly impressive.
Here, Ju played the brilliant 28…e3!, sacrificing a pawn to open the diagonal for her queen to target the vulnerable c2-pawn. After 29.Qxe3 Qxc2, Tan responded with 30.Qa7 instead of capturing on b5, allowing 30…bxc4 and giving Black a dominant passed pawn. Tan fought back, picking up the c7 and d6 pawns and activating her knight, but the position was already beyond repair. Queens were soon exchanged, and the resulting endgame, Black’s bishop versus White’s knight, with a dangerous passed c-pawn, was completely in Ju’s hands. While she could have chosen a simpler path, the champion trusted her endgame technique and finished the game with confidence.
Another beautiful moment when Ju displayed her skill and showed why she is the World Champion, came on move 45:
Here Black had to find 45…Bxf3, and once again Ju Wenjun did not disappoint. Black gives up the bishop in exchange for both White’s kingside pawns. 46.Nxf3 Kg4 47.Nd4 Kxg3 and the h-pawn cost White the knight.
Tomorrow is a rest day, and the players will return for game 9 on Wednesday. With just half a point needed, Ju can secure the title with a draw. Will this be the final chapter of the match, or will Tan regroup and come back with renewed fire?
Game 9 will take place on Wednesday, April 16, at 15:00 local time. Ju Wenjun will have the White pieces.
FACT SHEET, Game 8, FIDE Women’s World Championship 2025: White: Tan Zhongyi Black: Ju Wenjun Result: 0-1 Opening: Vienna Game length: 53 moves Match score: 6-2 (in favour of Ju Wenjun)
Der Wettkampf von Ding Liren und Gukesh Ende 2024 in Singapur und der aktuellen WM-Kampf um die Frauen-Weltmeisterschaft zwischen den Chinesinnen Ju Wenjun und Tan Zhongyi sind objektiv auf ähnlich hohem Niveau gewesen. Es gab aber auch Unterschiede:
Der Wettkampf von Ding Liren und Gukesh Ende 2024 in Singapur und der aktuellen WM-Kampf um die Frauen-Weltmeisterschaft zwischen den Chinesinnen Ju Wenjun und Tan Zhongyi sind objektiv auf ähnlich hohem Niveau gewesen. Es gab aber auch Unterschiede:
