In Game 8 of the FIDE Women’s World Championship Match, Tan Zhongyi changed her strategy, deviating from her usual English Opening in an attempt to shake things up and force a result. But despite the challenger’s fighting intentions, World Champion Ju Wenjun once again demonstrated why she now stands just half a point away from securing a fourth consecutive title.
For the first time in the match, we saw a departure from the opening script. Tan had been consistently starting with 1.c4, but today she chose to break not only from that pattern but also from her standard repertoire. She played 1.e4—famously described by Bobby Fischer as “the best by test”—a logical choice for Tan Zhongyi, who needed more than a slight opening advantage. She needed to win.
The first ceremonial moves in Game 8 were made by Chen Shenglin, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board, Dana Reizniece.
Let’s once again assess the psychological landscape of the match heading into the game: Ju has just achieved a hat trick, winning three consecutive games and taking a commanding 5–3 lead. With only 6.5 points needed to retain her title, she entered the game with confidence and control. Ju is a champion in her prime—focused, composed, and resolute. She told us in an interview before the match (which you can watch here) that her greatest strength as a world champion is not just hard work, but “concentration.” Watching her during the games—barely leaving her chair and maintaining unwavering focus —it’s clear her actions reflect her words. And this quality has brought her within reach of another successful title defense.
Tan, on the other hand, is in a position few would envy: three points behind, under immense pressure, with the world watching. She must fight tooth and nail for every point. Prior to the match, Tan radiated confidence, and we saw glimpses of this in the early games – perhaps too much at times, as she played too quickly in complex positions that required more careful calculation. But that confidence now appears shaken. In recent games, she has hesitated too long in moments that demanded determination. Today, her play reflected a mix of confidence and desperation. She sacrificed a pawn without compensation, and Ju converted the advantage with precise and elegant play.
The game began with a Vienna, later transposing into a Bishop’s Opening hybrid – an old system that has been tested recently on the highest level. Even playing with the black pieces, Ju found her rhythm early. White never gained the initiative and in fact, it was Black who took the reins. A puzzling decision by Tan allowed Ju to capture an important central pawn and take control of the game.
Here, instead of 25.exf5 with a roughly equal position 25.Qd4? was played and Ju simply captured on e4. The resulting position was clearly better for Black, but what followed was truly impressive.
Here, Ju played the brilliant 28…e3!, sacrificing a pawn to open the diagonal for her queen to target the vulnerable c2-pawn. After 29.Qxe3 Qxc2, Tan responded with 30.Qa7 instead of capturing on b5, allowing 30…bxc4 and giving Black a dominant passed pawn. Tan fought back, picking up the c7 and d6 pawns and activating her knight, but the position was already beyond repair. Queens were soon exchanged, and the resulting endgame, Black’s bishop versus White’s knight, with a dangerous passed c-pawn, was completely in Ju’s hands. While she could have chosen a simpler path, the champion trusted her endgame technique and finished the game with confidence.
Another beautiful moment when Ju displayed her skill and showed why she is the World Champion, came on move 45:
Here Black had to find 45…Bxf3, and once again Ju Wenjun did not disappoint. Black gives up the bishop in exchange for both White’s kingside pawns. 46.Nxf3 Kg4 47.Nd4 Kxg3 and the h-pawn cost White the knight.
Tomorrow is a rest day, and the players will return for game 9 on Wednesday. With just half a point needed, Ju can secure the title with a draw. Will this be the final chapter of the match, or will Tan regroup and come back with renewed fire?
Game 9 will take place on Wednesday, April 16, at 15:00 local time. Ju Wenjun will have the White pieces.
FACT SHEET, Game 8, FIDE Women’s World Championship 2025:
White: Tan Zhongyi
Black: Ju Wenjun
Result: 0-1
Opening: Vienna
Game length: 53 moves
Match score: 6-2 (in favour of Ju Wenjun)
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.
