Women's WCC Game 2: Tan takes the lead as Ju falters in rook endgame

by Johannes Fischer
4/4/2025 – After a draw in the first game, challenger Tan Zhongyi took the lead in by winning the second encounter of the Women's World Championship match. Tan capitalised on an inaccuracy by the defending champion Ju Wen in the rook ending and went on to score a convincing victory. | Photo: Anna Shtourman
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Not always drawn

"Rook endgames are always drawn" is a well-known saying to emphasise the tendency of many rook endgames to end in a draw. But, of course, not all rook endings are drawn and, above all, they are often difficult to play and defend.

This fact became evident in the second game of the Women's World Championship match between Tan Zhongyi and Ju Wenjun. Following a balanced struggle, Ju Wenjun came under increasing pressure in the rook ending, and then an inaccuracy was enough to turn a drawn position into a losing one.

Tan Zhongyi showed good technique to win the game and take a 1½-½ lead in the match.

Ju Wenjun

Defending champion Ju Wenjun during the press conference | Photo: Anna Shtourman

Tan Zhongyi

Tan Zhongyi is leading the 12-game match | Photo: Anna Shtourman

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Women's World Chess Championship 2025

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Johannes Fischer was born in 1963 in Hamburg and studied English and German literature in Frankfurt. He now lives as a writer and translator in Nürnberg. He is a FIDE-Master and regularly writes for KARL, a German chess magazine focusing on the links between culture and chess. On his own blog he regularly publishes notes on "Film, Literature and Chess".

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