Ju Wenjun successfully defended her Women’s World Chess Championship title in 2025, securing her fifth title and becoming only the fourth player in history to achieve this feat. The championship match, held from April 3 to April 21, 2025, in Shanghai and Chongqing, China, featured a rematch against challenger Tan Zhongyi, whom Ju had previously defeated in 2018. The best-of-12 classical games format saw Ju take a commanding lead, ultimately winning with a score of 6.5 points to Tan’s 2.5. Replay all games here
Parallel events: Women Grand Prix, Pune 2025 / Kazakhstan with 6 gold medals from the FIDE World Cadet & Youth Rapid Chess 2025
The match began with a draw in Game 1, but Tan took an early lead by winning Game 2 after Ju blundered in a rook endgame. Ju quickly equalized in Game 3 and survived intense pressure in Game 4 to draw, keeping the score level at 2-2. From Game 5 onward, Ju dominated, winning four consecutive games (Games 5–8), a feat not seen in a world championship since 1958. Her victories showcased exceptional endgame technique and strategic finesse, notably in Game 7’s Rossolimo Variation and Game 8’s bishop vs. knight endgame. After Game 8, Ju led 6-2, needing only a draw in Game 9 to secure the title.
Game 1: Ju Wenjun vs. Tan Zhongyi, ½–½
Game 2: Tan Zhongyi vs. Ju Wenjun, 1–0
Game 3: Ju Wenjun vs. Tan Zhongyi, 1–0
Game 4: Tan Zhongyi vs. Ju Wenjun, ½–½
Game 5: Ju Wenjun vs. Tan Zhongyi, 1–0
Game 6: Tan Zhongyi vs. Ju Wenjun, 0–1
Game 7: Ju Wenjun vs. Tan Zhongyi, 1–0
Game 8: Tan Zhongyi vs. Ju Wenjun, 0–1
Game 9: Ju Wenjun vs. Tan Zhongyi, ½–½
Ju’s performance solidified her status as one of the greatest female chess players, with a €300,000 ($324,000) prize from the €500,000 total purse.
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