The FIDE Women’s World Championship Match 2025 began today at 15:00 local time in Shanghai, China. Ju Wenjun had the White pieces, while Tan Zhongyi, playing with black, steered the game into the Sicilian Defence. After 39 moves, with no major fireworks, the game concluded in a logical draw.
Yesterday was a packed media day featuring interviews, press conferences, and the opening ceremony – all pointing toward a fiercely competitive match ahead. The storyline is compelling: two world champions, current and former, battling for the coveted title. Adding further intrigue is the déjà vu element, as the two players faced off in 2018, when Ju was the challenger and Tan the reigning champion. Ju claimed the title in that match and has successfully defended it ever since. This time, the roles are reversed, with Tan returning as challenger for the first time against her compatriot.
The psychological backdrop is equally fascinating. In her exclusive interview with FIDE, Tan spoke with confidence, emphasizing that while she viewed herself as “lucky” to be playing the 2018 match (having winning the title in 2017 in a knockout tournament) this time she felt more assured, having earned her place by winning the Candidates. With only a six-point rating difference between them, the outcome may come down to confidence. At the start of today’s game, their body language told a subtle story. Tan appeared relaxed, sipping coffee and glancing around the room, while Ju was intensely focused, her eyes fixed solely on the board.
The ceremonial first move was made by He Fengxiang, Director of the Chess and Card Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China and President of China Qiyuan, along with Xu Bin, Director of the Shanghai Municipal Sports Bureau.
At exactly 15:00 local time, the chief arbiter started the clock, and the match was officially underway. Both players raced through the early stages of the Sicilian Defence, French Variation – a calmer line compared to typical Sicilian battles. Ju deviated from the mainline with 5.Bd3 – a less common continuation than 5.Nc3, though not unusual at the elite level. Tan, seemingly still in preparation, continued to play quickly.
However, after 9.Bg5, the challenger paused for over five minutes, suggesting she was now out of preparation. In the post-game press conference, she acknowledged the psychological impact of that move and responded accurately with 9…h6. A few moves later, Ju took her time for the first time in the game, indicating that both players were now navigating unfamiliar territory – something rare and refreshing at this level in today’s computer-driven era. Ju appeared slightly more comfortable out of the opening thanks to her active pieces, while Tan’s bishop on c8 remained undeveloped. On move 14, Ju spent nearly 20 minutes before simplifying the position with a trade and breaking in the center, signaling that the game was drifting toward a draw – though not without its complexities.
An interesting moment arose on move 18. Ju opted not to play 18.cxd5, which would have gained an extra pawn but allowed Black’s pin with 18…Ba6. Instead, she targeted the weak h6-pawn with 18.Qe3, prompting Tan to find the precise 18…Qg5. After the queens were exchanged, White captured on d5, leaving Black with an isolated queen’s pawn, balanced by the open nature of the position and a bishop versus knight scenario. Neither side had a tangible advantage or clear path to push for more. With this in mind, neither player was willing to take significant risks.
With the engine bar showing complete equality, the game eventually ended in a draw. While we didn’t witness any fireworks today, the game suggested that we won’t be seeing quick, uneventful draws either. Will the players adopt a more aggressive approach as the match progresses? Or will caution prevail, potentially leading to tiebreaks? It’s too early to tell, and only time will reveal the course of this tightly contested match.
The second game of the match will take place on Friday, April 4t, at 3 PM local time in Shanghai, with Tan Zhongyi playing White.
FACT SHEET, Game 1, FIDE Women’s World Championship 2025:
White: Ju Wenjun
Black: Tan Zhongyi
Result: ½-½
Opening: Sicilian Defence, French variation
Game length: 39 moves
Match score: ½-½
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.