The 2025 FIDE Women’s World Championship Match between reigning World Champion Ju Wenjun and Challenger Tan Zhongyi continues in Chongqing, where the second half of the match was officially opened today with a press conference at the luxurious Jinke Grand Hotel – the venue for the remainder of the event.
The players and their teams arrived yesterday evening after a long journey from Shanghai, which included a 2.5-hour flight followed by a scenic bus ride from Chongqing Airport to the hotel. Nestled in the mountains, Chongqing is one of the largest cities in the world. As Tan Zhongyi noted during the Game 6 press conference, although the match is taking place in her home city, it is still quite far from where she resides. Beyond the picturesque views, what truly stood out was the warmth and hospitality of the people. The local organizing committee went above and beyond to ensure a smooth and comfortable arrival for all traveling from Shanghai. Their meticulous planning and attention to detail reflect a high level of professionalism.
The press conference panel featured several distinguished officials: Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board Dana Reizniece, Secretary General of the Chinese Chess Association Xu Yuhua, Deputy Director of the Chongqing Municipal Sports Bureau Du Xueyong, and Member of the Standing Committee of the Chongqing Fuling District Committee Wu Hui.
Representing FIDE, Dana Reizniece extended heartfelt thanks to the organizing teams in both Shanghai and Chongqing for their commitment and dedication: “I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the organizers of the first part of the match in Shanghai—the Shanghai Administration of Sports, the Chinese Chess Association, the Shanghai Chess Academy, and the Shanghai Board and Card Games Administrative Center. The tournament was exceptionally well organized, and the conditions provided for both players and officials were outstanding. The professionalism and dedication of the organizers ensured a world-class experience for everyone involved. Thank you for your excellent work. I would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Chongqing Administration of Sports, the Chess Department of China Qi-yuan, and the Chongqing Board and Card Games Administrative Center for having us here. We had the pleasure of experiencing their outstanding work during the 2023 match, and we are confident that, once again, we will witness the same level of dedication, professionalism, and commitment over the coming days.”
At the heart of this match lies a celebration of women and chess. Dana Reizniece continued: “For nearly a century, the world of chess has celebrated its queens. From the trailblazing Vera Menchik in 1927 to Ju Wenjun today, 17 extraordinary women have held the title of World Champion, each leaving a lasting legacy and opening doors for the next generation. China has played an incredible role in this. Today’s match between Tan Zhongyi and Ju Wenjun is not only a milestone for the sport — but also a moment of national pride. China is one of the world’s leading chess nations, producing world champions and contributing greatly to the development of our sport.
Women’s chess has seen remarkable growth, and FIDE is proud to have placed its development at the heart of our mission. And yet, our work is far from over. FIDE is proud to support this growth through new initiatives like the Women’s Grand Prix, tournaments for women and girls, support for chess moms competing in over-the-board events, and many others — all aimed at creating more opportunities for female players around the world.”
Mr. Du Xueyong then took the floor to present the match schedule and logistical preparations. The second half consists of six games, unless a player reaches 6.5 points before that, which would secure the title. If the match is tied after 12 classical games, tiebreaks will follow to determine the winner and crown the new champion.
The championship trophy – a stunning glass Phoenix Coronet, was unveiled today by Ms. Reizniece. Crafted using an ancient Chinese glass-making technique, it features a delicately designed peony flower at its center. Known as the “king of flowers,” the peony is a symbol of prosperity, grace, and beauty in Chinese culture. The process of creating the trophy also holds deep meaning: “Craftsmen fired the pink peony at temperatures over a thousand degrees. Every step was done with great care and skill. This process reflects the spirit of craftsmanship – just like a chess champion, the trophy was made through hard work, many challenges, and the pursuit of excellence.”
Soon, a new Women’s World Champion will be crowned. Who will lift the phoenix coronet – Ju Wenjun, defending her title, or Tan Zhongyi, reclaiming it once again?
The seventh game is scheduled to begin tomorrow, April 13, 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 will follow 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 typically involves a series of rapid and, if necessary, blitz games to ensure a decisive outcome.
