Challenger GM Tan Zhongyi secured a comfortable 39-move draw with the black pieces against reigning Champion GM Ju Wenjun as the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Chess Championship got underway in Shanghai on Thursday. The solid result immediately established the competitive tone of the match.
“From the first game, I think Tan is going to be a very tough opponent for Ju!” commented GM Judit Polgar after the game, while both competitors expressed satisfaction with the opening result.
History Potentially Repeating
Chess historians noted an interesting parallel to when these same opponents faced each other for the title in 2018. That match also began with a draw in game one, but was followed by five consecutive decisive results, suggesting this opening peace offering could precede more combative encounters.
Tan employed the Sicilian Defense as black, navigating the opening and middlegame without significant difficulty to reach equality. Both grandmasters demonstrated careful preparation and solid technique throughout the contest.
Match Continues Friday
Game two, where Tan will have the advantage of the white pieces, is scheduled to begin on Friday, April 4, at 3:00 a.m. ET / 09:00 CEST / 12:30 p.m. IST.
Current Match Score
After one game, the score stands level at 0.5-0.5 in the 12-game match. Both players entered the championship with similar ratings, with Ju at 2561 and Tan at 2555, highlighting the potential for a closely contested battle.
Championship Details
The 2025 FIDE Women’s World Championship represents the pinnacle of women’s over-the-board chess. The match is being held in Shanghai with a substantial prize fund of €500,000 ($540,000).
This all-Chinese final pits defending champion Ju Wenjun against challenger Tan Zhongyi in what promises to be a fascinating battle between two of the strongest female players in the world.
Expert Analysis Forthcoming
A detailed analysis of the opening game by GM Rafael Leitao is expected to be published soon, providing deeper insights into the strategic choices made by both players.
As noted by chess commentators on social media, the pattern of this match opening with a draw mirrors exactly what happened in their 2018 championship encounter. Chess fans will be watching closely to see if history continues to repeat itself with decisive results in the upcoming games.