Women's World Chess Championship 2025: Updated schedule, format, prize money, live streaming details

Published at :April 3, 2025 at 4:36 PM

Modified at :April 3, 2025 at 4:36 PM

Ju Wenjun and Tan Zhongyi will face each other in the Women’s WCC after seven years.

The FIDE Women’s World Chess Championship 2025 is set to be one of the most anticipated events in women’s chess, featuring a championship match between reigning four-time champion Ju Wenjun of China and her compatriot Tan Zhongyi.

Zhongyi won the Women’s WCC in 2017 by defeating Anna Muzychuk in the final of a knockout tournament. Interestingly, it was Tan who defeated Ju en route to claiming the 2017 Women’s WCC, which was determined through a KO format. Ju then challenged Tan in 2018 and won the Women’s World Chess Championship match 5½–4½, claiming her first title.

Tan Zhongyi won the 2024 Candidates Tournament, earning the right to challenge Ju Wenjun again in 2025. This victory secured her a rematch after seven years, setting up an exciting battle between two of China’s greatest female players.

When and where will Women’s World Chess Championship 2025 take place?

The Women’s World Chess Championship 2025 match between Ju Wenjun and Tan Zhongyi is scheduled to take place from April 3 to April 23. The championship will consist of up to 12 games, with the first half taking place in Shanghai from April 3 to April 10. The remaining games, along with any necessary tiebreaks, will be held in Chongqing from April 11 to April 23.

This format continues the tradition of hosting matches in the hometowns of both competitors, as seen in the last three editions.

Also Read: Vantika Agrawal targets in 2025: Achieve Grandmaster title, reach top 10 spot

What is the format of Women’s World Chess Championship 2025?

Following FIDE’s decision to return to a match-only format for determining the Women’s World Champion, the 2025 championship will be contested as a classical match.

The match will consist of 12 classical games. The time control for each game will be 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment per move starting from move one.

In case of a tie after the 12 classical games, tiebreak games with faster time controls will determine the champion.

The contenders

Ju Wenjun (China)

The reigning champion Ju Wenjun (age 34) is looking to defend her title for the fourth consecutive time. She has a current FIDE rating of 2561 (March 2025). Ju first won the title in May 2018 and has successfully defended it in November 2018, 2020, and 2023.

Ju is also the reigning Women’s World Blitz Chess Champion and a two-time Women’s World Rapid Chess Champion.

Tan Zhongyi (China)

Challenger Tan Zhongyi (age 33) earned her right to compete for the worlds title by winning the Women’s Candidates Tournament 2024. With a FIDE rating of 2555 (March 2025), Tan is the three-time reigning Chinese women’s national champion and five-time national champion overall.

Tan previously held the Women’s World Champion title in 2017-2018. She is also a former Women’s World Rapid Champion, having won the title in 2022 in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Historical context

The Women’s World Chess Championship has a rich history dating back to 1927. The championship has seen three distinct eras: the Menchik era (1927-1944), the Soviet-dominated era (1950-1991), and the China-dominated era (1991-present).

China has dominated women’s chess in recent decades, winning 15 of the last 20 titles since 1991. The country has produced six different champions, including three four-time champions: Xie Jun, Hou Yifan, and the current champion Ju Wenjun.

The upcoming match between Ju Wenjun and Tan Zhongyi continues this tradition of Chinese excellence in women’s chess. Regardless of the outcome, China will maintain its hold on the Women’s World Championship title, further cementing its status as the dominant force in women’s chess.

As chess fans around the world eagerly await this championship match, all eyes will be on China to see whether Ju Wenjun can extend her reign as champion or if Tan Zhongyi can reclaim the title she once held.

What is the prize money at Women’s World Chess Championship 2025?

The total prize fund for the 2025 Women’s World Chess Championship match is 500,000 Euros, distributed as follows:

If decided in classical games:
- Winner receives 60% – 300,000 Euros
- Runner-up receives 40% – 200,000 Euros
If decided in tie-breaks:
- Winner receives 55% – 275,000 Euros
- Runner-up receives 45% – 225,000 Euros

Also Read: Top six youngest winners in FIDE World Chess Championship history

Where and how to watch live streaming of Women’s World Chess Championship 2025?

Chess enthusiasts worldwide can follow the championship match through live broadcasts available on various platforms:

Chess.com
Chess24
FIDE’s official YouTube Channel
Chessbase India’s YouTube Channel

These platforms will provide live coverage of the games, along with expert commentary and analysis. Additional coverage will be available on various chess YouTube channels and streaming platforms.

Full schedule of Women’s World Chess Championship 2025

The match will be held from April 3 to April 21.

Match Schedule (GMT+5:30)

Date	Event	Time
Apr 3, 2025	Game 1	12:30 PM
Apr 4, 2025	Game 2	12:30 PM
Apr 6, 2025	Game 3	12:30 PM
Apr 7, 2025	Game 4	12:30 PM
Apr 9, 2025	Game 5	12:30 PM
Apr 10, 2025	Game 6	12:30 PM
Apr 13, 2025	Game 7	12:30 PM
Apr 14, 2025	Game 8	12:30 PM
Apr 16, 2025	Game 9	12:30 PM
Apr 17, 2025	Game 10	12:30 PM
Apr 19, 2025	Game 11	12:30 PM
Apr 20, 2025	Game 12	12:30 PM
Apr 21, 2025	Tie-breaks (if needed)	12:30 PM

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