Chinese grandmaster Ju Wenjun has made history by securing her fifth consecutive Women’s World Chess Championship title. On Wednesday, the 34-year-old defeated compatriot Tan Zhongyi with a final score of 6.5-2.5, solidifying her place among the chess greats.
In the pivotal Game 9, Ju played with the white pieces and adopted a cautious approach from the outset. She opted for the Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo attack against Tan’s Sicilian Defense, aiming for a more positional game. Early castling set the tone for a match focused on strategic maneuvers rather than aggressive tactics.
Both players engaged in a series of exchanges in the center of the board, carefully navigating toward a rook-and-pawn endgame. With neither side holding a decisive advantage, the game concluded in a draw after a repetition of moves. This result was enough for Ju to clinch the championship.
Ju’s victory marks the 16th time a player from the Chinese mainland has claimed the women’s world title, highlighting the nation’s growing prominence in the chess world. She is now the fourth woman ever—and the first from China—to win the world championship five times.
Her historic achievement serves as an inspiration to aspiring chess players across the globe, especially among teenage and young adult audiences in the Global South. Ju’s dedication and strategic brilliance continue to elevate the game and inspire a new generation of chess enthusiasts.
