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The battle to determine the 19th Women's World Chess Champion has begun in China between two Chinese players. Reigning World Champion Tan Zhongyi, currently ranked as the tenth woman in the world, defends her title against world number two, Ju Wenjun. The first two rounds have taken place with a draw, in the first round, and a win for the challenger in the second. Both games have been competitive battles, as the players seemed to waste no time in pressing to win. Each player has now taken a turn with the white pieces and will return to action Sunday, after a rest day.
Play resumes on May 6th | Photo: Gu Xiaobing
Game one provided an interesting Queen's Gambit Accepted. It appeared Ju Wenjun did not fully expect this variation, as she spent a great deal of time navigating the first few moves of the opening. Both players seemed to press during the first 30 moves of play with a key moment at move fourteen when Tan Zhongyi choose the complicated 14.Ne5. This move led to white's knight pair fighting momentarily vs. black's bishop pair.
During post-game analysis, the players were calm to explain that they both felt comfortable with the complications. Tan Zhongyi expressed the importance of her mental preparations especially considering playing the black pieces first.
Flexible plans for Black and strong weapons against the majority of White’s deviations from the main line are presented in an easy-to-understand manner. Most of the key ideas are illustrated with great examples from notable games between famous chess titans including Kasparov, Anand, Petrosian, Smyslov, and Kharlov. In this DVD, FM Lilov will teach you a plan for Black with a6, b5, Bb7, Nbd7 and c5, which is one of the best ways to meet White’s Queen’s Gambit. For those of you who like to experiment more in the opening, the FIDE Master has prepared a creative plan with Bg4.
The first ceremonial move of the 2018 Championship | Photo: Gu Xiaobing
Game two was extremely dynamic. Ju Wenjun was able to beat the defending champion with the black pieces. She took advantage of Tan Zhongyi's seldom used 3.d3 variation of the English Opening. The move 3...Bxc3 by Wenjun provided a variation which only appears thirteen times in the ChessBase live database. This variation also had only previously provided definitive results for each game.
The passive move 22.Rf1 lead to black winning a pawn and causing great pressure the remainder of the game. Wenjun secured past c and d-pawns, which marched down the board to victory.
Black's connected passed pawns are far more advanced than White's. The defending champion resigned on move 55 after it became clear a pawn would promote. And important early victory with the black pieces for Ju.
"Occupy the centre!" Let GM Bologan show you move by move why 1...e5 against English (1.c4) is a rock solid and excellent choice.
Ju Wenjun did muster a smile while leading after two games | Photo: Gu Xiaobing
According to GM Ian Rogers, who's on-site in Shanghai, the winner seemed more subdued than one might expect under the circumstances, almost as though there were a role reversal.
Weird press conference after Ju Wenjun's win over Tan Zhongyi in the second game of the Women's World Chess Championship in Shanghai. Ju looked seriously depressed at having beaten her friend, while Tan was able to smile and even laugh. Game 3 on May 6, Ju leading 1.5-0.5.
— Ian Rogers (@GMIanRogers) May 4, 2018
The competition for the World Championship is being played over ten games, however. Should it be tied, a rapid (and if necessary, blitz) playoff will be played on May 19th.
| Date | Event | Place |
| May 5 | Rest day | Shanghai |
| May 6 | Game 3 | Shanghai |
| May 7 | Game 4 | Shanghai |
| May 8 | Rest day | Shanghai |
| May 9 | Game 5 | Shanghai |
| May 12 | Game 6 | Chongqing |
| May 13 | Game 7 | Chongqing |
| May 14 | Rest day | Chongqing |
| May 15 | Game 8 | Chongqing |
| May 16 | Game 9 | Chongqing |
| May 17 | Rest day | Chongqing |
| May 18 | Game 10 | Chongqing |
| May 19 | Playoff (if needed) / Closing | Chongqing |
