Ju Wenjun retains Women’s Chess World Championship title

Chinese Grandmaster Ju Wenjun secured her fifth FIDE Women’s World Championship title by defeating compatriot Tan Zhongyi with a commanding 6.5–2.5 score, clinching the match with three games to spare after a draw in Game 9. Ju’s victory cements her status among chess legends, joining Vera Menchik, Nona Gaprindashvili, and Maia Chiburdanidze as one of only four women to win the world title five times. This 2025 match, held in Shanghai and Chongqing—the players' respective hometowns—showcased Ju’s dominance, including an impressive streak of four consecutive wins after an early setback. Ju has held the championship since 2018, with successful defenses against top challengers in every format, and her reign is now guaranteed through at least 2026–27. Tan, a former champion herself, was unable to mount a comeback despite a strong rivalry spanning nearly a decade. The match also underscores China’s continued dominance in women’s chess at the highest level.