In a historic showdown at the FIDE Women’s World Chess Championship, Chinese grandmaster Ju Wenjun clinched her fifth consecutive title with a commanding 6.5-2.5 win over compatriot Tan Zhongyi. At 34, Ju becomes the first from China and fourth woman ever to reach five world championship crowns.
The nine-game match showcased Ju’s strategic mastery. Playing white in the final Game 9, she navigated the Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo attack against the Sicilian Defense and castled early on move four to steer the game into a positional battle. After an intense series of center exchanges, both players reached a rook-and-pawn endgame that ended in a draw by threefold repetition, sealing Ju’s victory.
This win marks the 16th time the Chinese mainland has produced a Women’s World Chess Champion, highlighting the nation’s growing dominance in the global chess arena. Ju’s blend of tactical innovation and measured play underscores the evolving strategies in elite chess and inspires a new generation of players worldwide.
As Ju Wenjun celebrates this milestone, her achievement resonates beyond the 64 squares. It reflects the rise of digital connectivity in chess, where live online coverage and interactive analysis have brought the game closer to a global audience. From budding grandmasters tuning in from the Republic of Korea to digital nomads studying games in cafés across Europe, Ju’s success fuels the next wave of chess enthusiasm.
Looking ahead, Ju’s historic run sets the stage for fresh rivalries and emerging talent on the international circuit. With virtual training platforms and community-driven initiatives gaining momentum, the future of women’s chess promises to be as dynamic and diverse as the players shaping it.
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China's Ju Wenjun wins fifth straight Women's World Chess Championship
cgtn.com
