Defending Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun will attempt to make chess history tomorrow in Shanghai as she faces challenger and former champion GM Tan Zhongyi in the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Championship. If successful, Ju would become only the fourth player ever to win the prestigious title five times. The €500,000 ($540,000) match consists of 12 classical games, with the competition beginning in Shanghai before concluding in Chongqing.
The all-Chinese championship battle represents a rematch of their 2018 title contest, with Ju opening the proceedings with the white pieces against her third-ranked compatriot.
Historic Achievement Within Reach
Ju’s potential fifth title would place her in elite company alongside chess legends. Since first claiming the championship against Tan in 2018, Ju has successfully defended her title three times – including in a challenging 64-player knockout tournament and through match victories against GMs Aleksandra Goryachkina (2020) and Lei Tingjie (2023).
Only three women have previously captured the world title five or more times: Vera Menchik (eight championships) who dominated women’s chess from 1927 until her death in 1944, followed by Georgian legends GMs Nona Gaprindashvili and Maia Chiburdanidze, who each claimed five championships and collectively held the women’s title for nearly three decades.
Chinese Chess Dominance on Display
This marks the second consecutive Women’s World Championship contested entirely between Chinese players, highlighting the nation’s current superiority in women’s chess. Following the format established in the 2023 championship, the match will split venues between Shanghai (Ju’s birthplace) and Chongqing (Tan’s hometown).
The championship structure remains unchanged from 2023, with a 12-game classical time control format and a prize fund of €500,000 ($540,000) – with 60% going to the winner. This prize pool, while substantial, remains nearly five times smaller than the $2,500,000 awarded in the 2024 FIDE World Championship between GMs Ding Liren and Gukesh Dommaraju.
The only modification to the competition format involves the potential tiebreak procedure, which now begins with four 15-minute games rather than the 25-minute games planned in 2023.
2018 Championship Rematch
When these competitors last met for the title in 2018, Ju defeated then-champion Tan in a match that featured a remarkable streak of five consecutive decisive games. Their roles are now reversed, with Ju defending her crown against challenger Tan.
Ju Favored, But Experts Predict Competitive Match
In a FIDE survey of 14 chess professionals conducted during Women’s Grand Prix events in Monaco and Nicosia, ten selected Ju as the favorite. The remaining respondents described the match as too close to call.
While GM Alexandra Kosteniuk expressed confidence in Ju, stating she would “definitely” win, other prominent figures like GM Viswanathan Anand gave Ju only “a slight edge.” GM Elisabeth Paehtz captured the prevailing sentiment: “Objectively speaking it would be crazy to say it’s Tan, because Ju is more stable, but if Tan is in her moment, like she was in the Candidates, she can win.”
Champion’s Experience vs. Challenger’s Form
Several factors support Ju’s status as favorite. As the world’s second-highest rated female player (2569), she holds a modest rating advantage over Tan (2539). More significantly, Ju possesses unmatched championship experience, having successfully navigated four world championship victories under varying formats and conditions.
Ju’s consistent results in major competitions demonstrate her reliability at the highest level. Her careful, positional style and remarkable preparation have served her well in championship play, where minimizing mistakes is often more crucial than seeking spectacular victories.
Tan’s Momentum and Aggressive Style
However, Tan enters the match with considerable momentum after winning the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament in convincing fashion, scoring 9/14 and finishing a full point ahead of the field. Her aggressive, tactical playing style creates complications that can unsettle even the most composed opponents.
Recent tournaments have showcased Tan’s exceptional form, including strong performances at the 2024 Chess Olympiad and several Grand Prix events. Having previously held the title in 2017-2018, Tan understands championship pressure and has demonstrated her ability to perform under the most demanding conditions.
Head-to-Head Record Suggests Close Contest
The historical matchup between these competitors suggests a tightly contested championship. In classical games, Ju holds a slight 9-8 advantage with 14 draws, reflecting the narrow margin separating these elite players. Their most recent classical encounter at the 2023 Chinese Championship ended in a draw.
While Ju swept their rapid games at the 2023 World Rapid Championship, classical chess represents a fundamentally different challenge where preparation and stamina play more significant roles.
Coverage Details
Chess enthusiasts can follow comprehensive match coverage through various platforms. Games begin at 15:00 local time (GMT+8) in both Shanghai and Chongqing, with expert commentary teams providing analysis throughout the championship.
The match schedule includes six games in Shanghai (April 4-10) and six games in Chongqing (April 13-19), with rest days interspersed. If needed, tiebreaks would occur on April 21 following a rest day.
With two of China’s greatest female players competing for chess’s most prestigious women’s title, this championship promises extraordinary competition and potentially historic achievement for Ju Wenjun.