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.