Woman chess player, Ju Wenjun from China, claims full title as the fifth Women's World Chess Champion.
China's Ju Wenjun Makes Chess History
In a thrilling display of strategic mastery, Ju Wenjun, the world's second-ranked female chess player, claimed her fifth consecutive Women's World Chess Championship on Wednesday in Chongqing, China. This victory makes Ju Wenjun just the fourth woman in history, and the first Chinese player ever, to win the world championship five times.
Ju, a 34-year-old powerhouse, defeated her compatriot Tan Zhongyi in an intense best-of-12 match, securing the trophy with a score of 6.5-2.5. Despite an initial setback, Ju showcased her resilience, rallying to victory with a four-game winning streak.
"The beginning wasn't very smooth for me, but I caught up on the score, I was playing more and more in the zone," Ju commented post-match, as reported by Chess.com.
Ju has held the world title since 2018, with her reign extending into an eighth year following this year's win. Tan, the world No. 3, pushed Ju hard throughout the game but ultimately fell short, making Ju a dominant force many now consider as the 'queen of chess.'
"In this championship match, I exposed some of my weaknesses, and afterward, in my training, I will continue to try to fix them if I want to continue in this professional chess player journey," Tan admitted after the final, also per Chess.com.
The tense final between the two Chinese players marked a series of high-stakes matches between them. In 2017, Tan defeated Ju in the quarterfinals, eventually winning the world title. However, Ju avenged that loss by beating Tan in the 2018 final and once again this week.
For her monumental victory, Ju Wenjun will collect a hefty prize of 300,000 euros ($341,000), while Tan is set to receive 200,000 euros ($227,000) for her runner-up finish.
Ju Wenjun's fifth title win cements her place among the greats of women's chess, joining the likes of Nona Gaprindashvili, Maya Chiburdanidze, and Susan Polgar, who have also achieved this epic feat[1].
Enrichment Data:
Key Players- Ju Wenjun (China)- Tan Zhongyi (China)- Nona Gaprindashvili (Soviet Union/Georgia)- Maya Chiburdanidze (Soviet Union/Georgia)- Susan Polgar (Hungary/USA)
Five-time Women's World Chess Champions- Ju Wenjun (first Chinese player)- Nona Gaprindashvili- Maya Chiburdanidze- Susan Polgar
Ju Wenjun's historic fifth title win marks a milestone in Chinese chess and positions her among the legends of women's chess worldwide[1].
Ju Wenjun's victory represents a significant achievement not only for Chinese sports but also for the global chess community, as she joins the elite group of five-time Women's World Chess Champions, which includes Nona Gaprindashvili, Maya Chiburdanidze, and Susan Polgar.
Tan Zhongyi's performance during the final demonstrated that she is a formidable opponent, even against the dominant force in women's chess, Ju Wenjun.
Ju's chess career is further marked by her resilience, as she has overcome early setbacks and continued to improve, enhancing her position in the sports world.
