Ju Wenjun wins fifth consecutive Women’s World Chess Championship
Chinese grandmaster Ju Wenjun made history on Wednesday by securing her fifth consecutive Women’s World Chess Championship title, defeating compatriot Tan Zhongyi in this year’s final in Chongqing, China.
Ju’s win not only solidified her status as one of the greatest female chess players of all time but also made her the first Chinese player ever to win the world championship five times. She joins an exclusive club that includes Vera Menchik, Nona Gaprindashvili, and Maia Chiburdanidze.
The World No. 2 player dominated this year’s final with a score of 6.5-2.5, showcasing her exceptional skills and strategic prowess. Despite initially falling behind, Ju managed to stage a remarkable comeback, winning four consecutive games to secure the championship title.
Reflecting on her victory, Ju expressed her satisfaction with her performance, stating, “I caught up on the score, I was playing more and more in the zone.” The 34-year-old grandmaster has held the world title since 2018 and will now extend her reign into an eighth year.
Although Tan Zhongyi, the world No. 3 player, put up a strong fight throughout the final, she was unable to dethrone Ju, who is now widely regarded as the queen of chess. Tan acknowledged her weaknesses after the match and vowed to continue improving in her professional chess career.
The high-stakes match between Ju and Tan has been a recurring theme in recent years, with Tan initially defeating Ju in the quarterfinals in 2017 before Ju claimed victory in subsequent finals. This year’s final marked another chapter in their intense rivalry, with Ju emerging victorious once again.
Ju’s triumph earned her a prize of 300,000 euros ($341,000), while Tan received 200,000 euros ($227,000) for finishing second. The grandmaster’s remarkable achievement has solidified her legacy in the world of chess and cemented her status as a true chess prodigy.
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