The 2025 FIDE Women’s World Championship match commenced today in Shanghai, China, with defending champion GM Ju Wenjun (2560) and challenger GM Tan Zhongyi (2538) battling to a draw in Game 1. The opening contest featured careful strategic play from both Chinese grandmasters in a Sicilian Defense (B32).

Wenjun, playing White, opted for a positional approach against Tan’s Sicilian. The game transitioned into a balanced middlegame after 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. c4, with both players navigating a complex pawn structure. A key moment arrived at move 19 when queens were exchanged, simplifying into an endgame where neither side could secure a decisive advantage.

Time management proved significant as Wenjun spent 18 minutes on her 14th move, while Tan used her time more evenly throughout. The critical position emerged after 25…Ra4, when White captured a pawn but Black gained sufficient counterplay. The game concluded with perpetual check after 39. Ke4.

The championship match features a 12-game classical format with a time control of 90 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes to finish with 30-second increments.

See the PGN on Lichess: https://lichess.org/broadcast/fide-womens-world-chess-championship-2025/shanghai–game-1/Ao99TiHo