A grand occasion: 2025 FIDE Women’s World Championship opening ceremony
The official press conference and opening ceremony of the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Championship took place today in Shanghai, set against a prestigious backdrop befitting such a significant event. At approximately 16:00 local time, journalists gathered in the Grand Banquet Hall on the fifth floor of the JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai, eagerly awaiting the start of the official opening press conference for the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Championship Match. The press conference was divided in two segments – the first featuring officials and organizers, and the second with the players. Grandmaster Ni Hua, who recently served as Ding Liren’s second during the 2024 World Championship in Singapore, moderated the first half of the proceedings. The panel comprised Victor Bologan, FIDE Management Board Executive Director; Song Hui, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Administration of Sports; Du Xueyong, Deputy Director of the Chongqing Administration of Sports; Xu Yuhua, Deputy Director of the Chess Department of China Qi-yuan and General Secretary of the Chinese Chess Association; Liu Shizhen, Director of the Shanghai Board and Card Games Administrative Center; and Huang Bo, Director of the Chongqing Board and Card Games Administrative Center. Translation between Mandarin and English was provided throughout. Xu Yuhua presented the match details, after which Victor Bologan expressed FIDE’s gratitude to the organizers and emphasized the event’s significance, describing it as a “Celebration of Chess and China.” The floor was then opened to journalists for questions. Soon after, the stars of the event; Ju Wenjun and Tan Zhongyi, arrived. Questions centered on how the players felt and what the match meant to them. Both appeared in excellent spirits, smiling and responding to questions with enthusiasm. The atmosphere soon shifted to celebration as guests moved to the other side of the Grand Banquet Hall. With elegantly decorated tables filling the space, the setting perfectly reflected the grandeur of the occasion. The ceremony began with a promotional video that captured the intensity and drama of the championship about to commence. This was followed by introductions of the players and guests, and the playing of both the national anthem of the People’s Republic of China and the FIDE anthem. Xu Bin, Director General of the Shanghai Administration of Sports, delivered a welcome address, stating: “We are delighted to host the FIDE Women’s World Championship Match once again. Ju Wenjun will defend her title as reigning champion against Tan Zhongyi, marking their second showdown in this Championship Match. I believe that this world-class event will reignite Shanghai’s passion for chess once again, and further promote the popularity and development of the sport.” Next, He Fengxiang, President of China Qi-yuan, spoke about the prestige and legacy of chess in China: “As a brilliant crystallization of human wisdom, chess has always resonated with the development of the times since its introduction to China. From Xie Jun winning first world champion in 1991, which ushered in a new era of women chess in China, to Ding Liren’s historic breakthrough in winning the men’s champion in 2023, generation after generation have devoted unremitting efforts for 34 years to compose a magnificent chapter by presenting ‘the shining stars of the chess king and queen’ in the chess world.” Victor Bologan then read a letter on behalf of FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, who was unable to attend. “The match between Tan Zhongyi and Ju Wenjun is not only a milestone for chess but also for China,” he began, highlighting the nation’s legacy in the sport: “My dear friends, this year marks 50 years since China joined FIDE. Today, China is one of the world’s great chess nations. It has produced world champions in both the open and women’s competitions, holds the record for the most Women’s World Champions (six, ahead of the USSR’s five), and boasts numerous players in the world’s top 100. With such success comes great responsibility—to promote and expand the game. FIDE and the global chess community are deeply grateful for China’s contributions and hopeful that we will see even more investment in chess, more events, and an even brighter future for the game in this country.” Then came the eagerly awaited drawing of lots. Two bouquets were placed in front of the players, where the chief arbiter placed two silk bags in each and invited the World Champion to choose her bouquet. Ju Wenjun picked the flowers closest to her and opened her bag to reveal a white queen, determining their colors for the first game. The evening concluded with He Fengxiang, Xu Bin, Victor Bologan, Xie Jun, Song Hui, and Du Xueyong taking the stage to press their hands on the stage screen as a symbolic gesture marking the official start of the match. With the ceremony complete, guests and players remained in the banquet hall to enjoy a dinner featuring Chinese delicacies. The first game is scheduled to begin tomorrow, 03 April 2025, at 15:00 local time. Follow FIDE’s social media channels for updates, tune into YouTube for live commentary and coverage, and visit the official match website for more information. Written by Charlize Van Zyl Photos: Anna Shtourman Official website: womenworldchampionship2025.fide.com/ About the Match The 2025 FIDE Women’s World Chess Championship match between Ju Wenjun and Tan Zhongyi follows a 12-game format. The first player to score 6.5 points will be declared the winner. 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 involves a series of rapid and, if necessary, blitz games to ensure a decisive outcome.
Autism awareness: Understanding and supporting the spectrum globally
Every April world celebrates World Autism Month, beginning with the United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects millions of children worldwide across all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups and is nearly four times more common in boys than in girls. The condition presents significant challenges for parents, who often face limited access to care, a lack of treatment options, and the stigma associated with autism. However, thanks to parental advocacy and advances in scientific research, autism is now much better understood. Autism varies greatly from person to person—no two individuals with autism are alike, which is why it is referred to as a spectrum. Common characteristics include difficulties with verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. “With globally estimated prevalence of about 1 in 100 children, some countries report higher rates, with approximately 1 per 100,000 people. Early diagnosis and intervention are key to improving outcomes for individuals with autism,” shares Ala Mishchanka, special needs educational assistant, co-author of the Infinite chess Handbook (Canada). Chess as a tool for inclusion At Infinite Chess, we believe in the power of chess to foster inclusion, support, and growth for everyone, especially those on the autism spectrum. “You might have learned that autism is not a disability; it is a special ability. But how to make use of it? And our answer would be to use chess as a discipline that might not only give enjoyment, satisfaction and pleasure to these special kids but also improve their physical and mental wellbeing,” noted Deputy Chair of FIDE Management Board and Infinite Chess project Supervisor Dana Reizniece. Creating supportive environments for individuals with autism involves understanding their unique needs and strengths. Chess offers numerous benefits—it provides a structured environment that helps improve focus, enhances cognitive skills, and promotes social interaction. “Some sports can be challenging for kids with autism spectrum; that’s why it is important to help children choose sports they are likely to enjoy and excel at”, says Maria Tamkovich, Infinite Chess project coordinator. “But not every sport requires high-level communication and cooperation and could be a great match for children with autism. Chess is definitely one of them.” Here are some ways chess can be particularly beneficial: Structured Environment: The clear rules and predictable nature of chess can be comforting for individuals with autism, providing a sense of stability and order. Cognitive Development: Chess encourages strategic thinking, problem-solving, and memory enhancement, which are valuable skills for everyone. Social Interaction: Playing chess can help improve communication and social skills, offering a platform for positive interactions and relationship-building. Anastasia Sorokina, leader of the Infinite Chess project, emphasizes: “Autism awareness is about more than just understanding the disorder; it’s about fostering acceptance and inclusion worldwide. By educating ourselves and others, we can create a more inclusive society where individuals with autism are valued and supported. This is one of the main goals for our project.” Autism Awareness month events To celebrate Autism Awareness Month, Infinite Chess, in cooperation with the Kazakhstan Chess Federation and numerous partners worldwide, is organizing a series of events to promote inclusion and support for individuals with autism. Online Chess Meetup on April 6 at 12:00 CEST, zoom: Hosting educators, parents, and tutors on how to increase awareness and use chess as a tool for supporting individuals with autism and co-occurring conditions. Register now and be part of a community that believes in the infinite potential of every child!https://forms.gle/S3tBkuaziZqNJt6KA Offline Autism Talks, 6 April at 10:00, Almaty, Kazakhstan: Encouraging our community to share their own stories and experiences with autism and chess, fostering a sense of belonging and support. Simulations chess exhibition for kids in support of the Autism Awareness month in frames of Asian Zonal Chess Championship on 6 April 2025. Get involved and spread the word! We invite all members of the chess family to join us in celebrating Autism Awareness Month. If you are planning any activities or events, please share them with us so we can highlight them on our social media platforms. Let’s work together to create a more inclusive and supportive community. About Infinite Chess Project During five year of work, the Infinite Chess united 28 countries from all continents and has brought together over 110 coaches, teachers, and tutors, as well as 280 children with autism. Eight educational online and offline seminars were conducted for more than 250 participants from 95 countries. Official website: infinitechess.fide.com/