When Ju Wenjun claimed a draw by Tan Zongsi by three times the three -fold repetition in game 9 – a crook endgeam was already lucky for a peaceful result – his working characteristically arranged. He shook hands, took a sip of rose, water from the board, signed the scorchheet, and moved towards the commentary room. A regular conclusion for another win. But this was not a simple moment-it marked the protection of JU’s record-fifth women’s world championship Crown and their fourth successful title.
Joo means business. A Ghagh professional, she understands one thing above everything: how to win. What others can be seen as a worldly routine, in fact, there are impressions of his dominance. At the age of 34, the Chinese Grandmaster has ruled the women’s chess for the last eight years, making rivals no place to come to her throne.
Joo Wenjun vs Tan Jongsi, Women’s World Championship 2025, Game 9 Board
In Chongking on Wednesday, all Ju had a draw to win the championship and unlike her fierce character on the board, she played a peaceful draw to win 6.5–2.5 with three games balance. Penta Harikrishna, once India’s most ranked classical chess player, has closely seen the talent of Zoo Wenjun. As part of their team as part of each other against Lei Tingji during the 2023 Women’s World Championship, she first saw the inseparable resolution defined a true champion.
A moment, especially, stood for Harikrishna. Beyond the decisive 12th game against Lei, Xu suffered a winning scenario: a draw would force the tiebreak, where the risk of losing the title would be even greater. His team – calm and calculated from Harikrishna and Vi Yi of China – was torn between a risky opening or a much more solid theoretical line to secure a draw. But Xu had other plans. He insisted on taking the aggressive route, and paid it.
Tan Jhongi accepts a draw and Ju Wenjun becomes only 4th woman in the history of winning the Women’s World Chess Championship 5 times!#Jutan pic.twitter.com/33juwegtou
– chess24 (@chess24com) 16 April, 2025
“Beyond the game 12, the score was 5.5–5.5. We had to decide whether to play a fast risky line or stick to safe, famous principle,” remember Harikrishna. “She was perfectly fine by taking the risk, showing the character of a true champion. She was not afraid to take practical, fighting outlook, and she won that thrilling game. This is something that seems very impressive to me,” she tells the Indian Express.
Under pressure
Harikrishna highlighted another aspect of Zoo’s dominance: her ability to flourish under the pressure of the World Championship match. “Even if you are strong, a world championship match is a separate animal. His experience helps from the last four title defense, but what is notable is, (Alexandra) has a constant intensity against young, hungry opponents like Gorchakina and Lei (Tingji).”
According to Harikrishna, one of the most striking aspects of the game of Zoo has his ability to reset it after a fierce battle. “We were trailing behind the first six matches, and although she had the possibility in the second half, she was remembering them. Still, in a miraculous manner, she would arrive fresh for the next round. People often asked me in the press conference how tired she was, but I knew how she was made,” she says.
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Zoo Venjun and Tan Jhongni (Anna Shutterman/Fid) during Women’s World Chess Championship Game 9
But what is really surprised had the ability to elevate Harikrishna’s game when it was most important. “For me, she was a completely different player in the second part of the tournament. Winning so many important games with both colors, but especially extraordinary with Black.”
The prize money of the incident enriched with Ju € 300,000 () 2.91 crore). He also revealed his second team, including Ni Hua, who was India’s D. Liran was also during Liran’s second title during the defense of the World Championship title against Gukesh, Russia’s Maxim Matalcov and WGM Wang Pin.
When 21, Xu Wenjun had 2500-rated WGM-Pratibha, but not yet favorite at the 2012 Women’s World Championship. Still he came to a storm in the semi -finals, only the last champion, Anna fell to Ushenina. This was a glimpse of his ability, but the crown remained out of reach.
Tan Jhongi of China, former world champion. (Anna Shutterman/Fide)
By the next knockout cycle in 2015, the Xu changed. Now a 2560-rated GM and the second seed of the tournament behind India’s Konaru Hampi is given high expectations. His first victory over Egyptian Shruk Wafa suggested another deep race. But things did not happen according to the plan.
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In the second round, Natalia Pogonina of Russia, 31st seed shocked her. Xu quickly crashed, while Pogonina postponed all obstacles to reach the final. Another missed opportunity. Another long wait.
The 2017 championship should have been his moment. As top seeds, he charged in the quarter -finals, Bulldozers via Nancy Lane, former world champions Zhu Chen and Olga Girya. But, again, there were other plans of luck. Waiting for him was the tan – the same body that pulls a distress, ended the campaign of Zoo and claimed the title for himself.
File: Zoo Wenjun vs Tan Jongi during the 2018 World Championship. (Fid)
After stumbling three times in five years, Xu was enough. She fought through the Fide Women Grand Prix 2015-16, earning the right to challenge Tan in the 2018 World Championship match. This time, there will be no knockout chaos, no underardog will be surprised. Joo seized her moment – and never looked back.
From that victory till date, he has defended his crown four times, which joined the Legends of Legends – Maiya Chiburdanidez, Nona Gapirindashwili and Vera Menchic to win five or more championships.
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A journey that started in frustration, lost to Tan, when he separated him, he completely nervous. Now, Zoo named her among the most prominent world champions.
