For the first time in the match, reigning World Champion Ju Wenjun has taken the lead, winning Game 5 in commanding fashion. After an opening that went awry for Tan Zhongyi, playing with the Black pieces, White quickly gained a significant advantage. Though the evaluation fluctuated, Ju remained in control, eventually picking up material for no compensation—leading to a completely dominant position and a well-deserved victory.
In photo, Appeals Committee member K.K. Chan makes the ceremonial opening moves for game 5 assisted by Shan Xiali, Director of Shanghai Xiangqi Association.
Today’s game was a sharp contrast to the marathon 81-move draw in Game 4. In that encounter, Tan obtained promising positions but failed to convert. This time, the roles were reversed, and Ju Wenjun made no such mistake. She kept a firm grip on the position, never allowing her opponent a chance to escape.
As usual, Tan blitzed out her opening moves, appearing confident in her preparation (or at least projecting that impression). Throughout the match, her Black games have featured similar pawn structures. However, Ju, who typically takes more time in the opening, surprised her opponent with the early advance 10.c5 (a new move in this position), steering the game out of Tan’s prepared lines.
For the first time in the match, Tan paused for 10 minutes on a single move. In the post-game press conference, Tan admitted that this move was not part of her preparation, so she had to find a way forward at the board. However, the plan she chose was not ideal. Her pieces became awkwardly placed, while Ju’s setup was smooth and harmonious. To make matters worse, Tan lagged in development, repeatedly moving the same minor pieces. A few moves later, White had taken the upper hand, but her advantage briefly slipped away/
It was not easy getting a confidence read on Tan – she would often play with her usual speed, and stroll around the tournament hall even though the position on the board told a different story. The optics of confidence have worked for her so far, but this time a comeback seemed unlikely as the game progressed.
Even though Ju did not convert her advantage with surgical precision, she was always more comfortable, and the one in the driver’s seat. Eventually, she picked up another pawn and emerged two pawns up for which Black had no compensation.
With a material advantage, an outside passed pawn, and better-coordinated pieces, White’s win became straightforward. Ju had a wide range of playable options, while Black struggled to find any plan at all. Yet, as we’ve seen throughout the match, it’s never truly over until the final move. Tan tried to stir up counterplay, first by exchanging two minor pieces for a rook and a pawn, followed by infiltrating White’s vulnerable back rank with threats of mate. Ju had to navigate carefully, sidestepping potential pitfalls. But the World Champion demonstrated necessary accuracy when it mattered most. Eventually, with her ammunition run out, Tan Zhongyi had nothing left to fire and, after 59 moves, she resigned.
This marks the first time Ju Wenjun has taken the lead in the match – an important psychological boost, especially with the added confidence of playing on home soil. One final game remains in Shanghai before the match moves to Chongqing, and it is shaping up to be the most psychologically significant of the match so far.
FACT SHEET, Game 5, FIDE Women’s World Championship 2025:
White: Ju Wenjun
Black: Tan Zhongyi
Result: 1-0
Opening: Sicilian Defence, Kan Variation
Game length: 59 moves
Match score: 3-2 (in favour of Ju Wenjun)
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Written by Charlize van Zyl
Photos: Anna Shtourman
Official website: womenworldchampionship2025.fide.com/
From Ju Wenjun strikes and seizes the lead in Game 5 – International Chess Federation