SHANGHAI, CHINA (April 3, 2025) — The 2025 FIDE Women’s World Chess Championship Match began today in Shanghai as reigning champion Ju Wenjun faces challenger Tan Zhongyi in a highly anticipated rematch of their 2017 championship encounter. Ju, who won the drawing of lots during yesterday’s opening ceremony, starts with the white pieces in Game 1.

This championship marks the second title match between the two Chinese grandmasters, with Ju having successfully defended her crown three times since defeating Tan in 2018. Both players appeared confident during the grand opening ceremony at the JW Marriott Hotel, where officials celebrated the event as part of China’s 50th anniversary of FIDE membership.

The championship follows a 12-game format, with the first player to reach 6.5 points claiming the world title. Each game uses classical time control: 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the remainder, with a 30-second increment from move one. If the match ends tied at 6-6, tiebreaks will determine the champion through a series of rapid and blitz games.

Post Photo: Anna Shtourman