A steep challenge ahead

Game 7 of the 2025 FIDE Women's World Chess Championship marked a significant moment in the match, as Ju Wenjun claimed her third win in a row to extend her lead to 5–2 over challenger Tan Zhongyi. With this result, the defending champion moves closer to retaining her title, with only five games remaining. The second half of the match began in Chongqing, Tan's hometown, following the initial six games held in Shanghai.

Playing with the white pieces, Ju faced an opponent under increasing pressure, both due to the match score and the psychological impact of two consecutive defeats. Tan adopted a combative approach, reflecting her need to close the gap. She managed to secure an extra pawn in the middlegame and appeared to have decent chances. However, inaccuracies in handling the position led to a worsening structure and reduced piece activity.

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As the game progressed into the endgame, Tan's light-squared bishop became particularly restricted, and Ju slowly took control. The defending champion maintained steady pressure, converting her positional edge into a decisive advantage. Tan ultimately resigned after 47 moves, with no real counterplay available in the final position.

At the post-game press conference, Tan acknowledged the match situation had influenced her decisions. She noted that she spent considerable time seeking aggressive continuations, hoping to create winning chances with the black pieces. However, her efforts failed to yield the desired outcome, leaving her with a steep challenge in the remaining games.

The match has moved to the densely populated Chongqing | Photo: Anna Shtourman

Tan Zhongyi has just resigned the seventh game | Photo: Anna Shtourman

Ju, Wenjun2561

1–0

Tan, Zhongyi2555

FIDE Women WCC 2025 China13.04.2025[CC]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 e6 4.0-0 Nge7 5.d4 cxd4 6.Nxd4 Qb6 7.Nxc6 bxc6 8.Bd3 Ng6 9.c4 Be7 10.Nc3 0-0 11.Na4 Qc7 12.c5 d5 13.cxd6 Bxd6 14.Qh5 Ju plays the novelty in the position arising from the Rossolimo Sicilian. White has a better pawn structure, with Black needing to defend the isolated pawn on c6 going forward. However, Tan should have enough recourses to at least keep the balance. 14.g3 Ne5 15.Be2 c5 16.Be3 Bb7 17.Rc1 Bxe4 18.Nxc5 Bc6 was seen in the past, with a very slight edge for White in the long run, due to the queenside majority. 14...Rb8 15.b3 Rd8 16.Rd1 Rb4 17.Bb2

A confident Ju, who came from winning three out of the last four games, spent 22 minutes before playing this ambitious move - White gives up a pawn to get her bishop on the long diagonal. Engines do not think this is objectively the best alternative, but the world champion apparently trusted that she could outplay her compatriot. More cautious is 17.Bg5 Re8 18.Bc4 c5 19.Rac1 and the positional fight continues. 17...Nf4 18.Qf3 Not 18.Qh4 defending h2, due to Nxd3 19.Rxd3 Bxh2+ and the rook on d3 is undefended: 20.Qxh2 Rxd3 18...Nxd3 19.Rxd3 Ba6 20.Rdd1 Bxh2+ 21.Kh1 Bd6 22.Qc3 Black is a pawn up, but White gets to create a battery on the long diagonal. Bf8 23.Nc5 The idea. White has two strong minor pieces and the threat of mate on g7. Tactically, the knight is now blocking the f8-bishop's ability to defend the rook. Rb6 Engines show 23...Be2 24.Rxd8 Qxd8 and White cannot grab the rook with 25.Qxb4 due to Correct is 25.Kg1 Rb5 and Black has made progress while still a pawn up. 25...Qh4+ 26.Kg1 Bd6 27.g3 27.e5 Qxb4 27...Bxg3 28.fxg3 Qxg3+ 29.Kh1 Bf3# It is very unlikely for a human to find all this sequence, though. 24.Qe5 Qe7 25.Rac1 Rb5 26.Rxd8 Qxd8 27.Qd4 Qh4+ An inaccuracy by Tan, who had 14 minutes on the clock at this point (Ju was also in time trouble, with 10 minutes on her clock). Stronger is 27...Qg5 28.b4 and the key move in this line is e5 29.Qxe5 Qd2 30.Kg1 and Black gets dynamic chances - she also has the bishop pair, which might be useful later on. 28.Kg1 Bc8 29.e5

Following Tan's inaccuacy, White already had a slight edge. Ju could have upped the pressure with a2-a4 here, but she chooses to offer a queen trade - an understandable decision, given the match situation. Very strong is 29.a4 Rb8 30.Qe5 Ra8 31.Qc7 29...Qxd4 30.Bxd4 a5 In the ensuing queenless position, Black will have a tough time trying to activate her light-squared bishop. 31.f4 h5 32.Kf2 Be7 33.Ke3 g5 34.Ne4 gxf4+ 35.Kxf4 [Analysis by GM Karsten Müller from here on]. Black's bad bishop. Counterplay often counts when a a strategic initiative cannot be stopped: Bb7?

This loses valuable time. The direct counterplay with 35...a4 was called for, e.g. 36.Bc5 36.bxa4? Rb4 gives Black good play. 36.Rxc6 Bb7 37.bxa4 Rxe5 38.Bxe5 Bxc6= 36...Bxc5 37.Nxc5 axb3 38.axb3 Kg7 39.Kg5 Ra5= defends. 35...Kg7= is playable as well. 36.Bc5 Bxc5? Another mistake. Black should play 36...Kf8 37.Rc3 Bxc5 38.Nxc5 a4 39.bxa4 Rb4+ 40.Kg5 Bc8 with practical chances to defend. 37.Nxc5! Now White's power-play on the dark squares decides the day. 37.Rxc5? Rb4 38.Rxa5 c5 39.Ra4 Bxe4 40.Rxb4 cxb4 41.Kxe4 f5+ 42.exf6 Kf7 43.Ke5 h4= 37...Kg7 38.Kg5 38.a4!? Rb4+ 39.Rc4+- was more precise. 38...Ba8?! This buries the bishop. 38...a4 was more tenacious, but does not defend due to 39.Rc4 axb3 40.axb3 Bc8 41.b4 Rb8 42.Rd4 h4 43.Rd8 Rxb4 44.Rxc8 Rb2 45.Rxc6 Rxg2+ 46.Kxh4+- 39.Kxh5 Rb8 40.Rc4 Rh8+ 41.Kg4 Rh2 42.Kg3 White keeps her g-pawn as valuable winning potential. Rh5 43.Rg4+ Kf8 43...Kh6 44.Ra4 Rxe5 45.Rxa5 f6 46.b4 Rg5+ 47.Kf2 Rg8 48.Ra7 Kg6 49.a4 Rb8 50.a5+- 44.Ra4 Ke7 44...Rxe5 runs into 45.Nd7++- 45.Rxa5 Rxe5 46.Ra7+ Kd6 47.b4

And Black resigned as the bishop on a8 is lost due to the double threat. 47.b4 Rg5+ 48.Kf4 Rf5+ 48...Rg8 49.Rd7# 49.Ke4 Re5+ 50.Kd4 Rd5+ 51.Kc3+- 1–0

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From Mating with a queen; a rook; two bishops; a knight and a bishop; to the basics of pawn endgames – here you will gain the necessary know-how to turn your endgame advantages into victories!

The final position | Photo: Anna Shtourman

Tan Zhongyi needs to strike back with white in the next game to keep her chances alive | Photo: Anna Shtourman

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Links

• Official website
• Ju Wenjun scores clutch win, defends World Championship title
• Tan Zhongyi convincingly wins Women's Candidates in Toronto
• Ju Wenjun triumphant at inaugural Norway Chess Women event
• Tan Zhongyi wins Cairns Cup, Anna Muzychuk grabs second place