Women's World Chess Championship 2023: Ju Wenjun vs. Lei Tingjie
The 2023 Women's World Chess Championship featured a high-stakes clash between two of China's most elite players, Ju Wenjun and Lei Tingjie. Scheduled from July 5 to July 25, 2023, the match was a testament to the growing dominance of Chinese chess on the global stage.
To ensure fairness and provide a home-field advantage to both competitors, the match was split between two host cities. The first half of the competition took place in Shanghai, while the second half moved to Chongqing, both of which are the hometowns of the participants.
Key Facts
- Champion: Ju Wenjun successfully defended her title.
- Final Score: Ju Wenjun won with 6½ points against Lei Tingjie's 5½ points.
- Format: A 12-game match with alternating colors.
- Locations: Hosted in Shanghai and Chongqing, China.
- Global Context: From 2023 to 2024, China held both the Open and Women's World Chess Championship titles.
Match Structure and Format
Following the precedent set in 2018, the championship utilized a 12-game match format. The games were played under a standard time control, with the white pieces for the first game assigned to Lei Tingjie during the opening ceremony. From there, the players alternated colors for every subsequent game.
The event was broadcast to a global audience with expert commentary. English-language analysis was provided by Chess.com commentators Jovanka Houska, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Daniel Naroditsky, and Judit Polgar, while FIDE (the International Chess Federation) provided commentary via Alik Gershon and Xu Yi.
Support Teams and Schedule
Behind every grandmaster is a team of seconds—expert players and coaches who help analyze opponents and prepare opening strategies. Ju Wenjun was supported by Pentala Harikrishna and Wei Yi, while Lei Tingjie worked with Teimour Radjabov and Raymond Song.
The match followed a rigorous schedule, with games starting daily at 3 p.m. local time (07:00 UTC):
- July 4: Opening Ceremony in Shanghai.
- July 5–12: Games 1 through 6 (Shanghai).
- July 13: Transfer to Chongqing.
- July 15–22: Games 7 through 12 (Chongqing).
- July 23: Reserved for tiebreaks if necessary.
- July 24: Closing Ceremony.
Final Results and Standings
The match was closely contested, but Ju Wenjun ultimately secured the victory. The final tally saw Ju Wenjun finish with 6½ points, while Lei Tingjie finished with 5½ points.
| Player | Rating | Points | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ju Wenjun (China) | 2564 | 6½ | Winner |
| Lei Tingjie (China) | 2554 | 5½ | Runner-up |
This victory solidified a historic era for Chinese chess; between 2023 and 2024, China simultaneously held the Open World Chess Championship title (held by Ding Liren) and the Women's World Chess Championship title.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2023 Women's World Chess Championship?
Ju Wenjun won the championship, defeating Lei Tingjie with a final score of 6½ to 5½.
Where was the match played?
The match was split between two Chinese cities: the first half was hosted in Shanghai and the second half in Chongqing.
How many games were played in the championship?
The championship consisted of a 12-game match.
Who served as seconds for the players?
Ju Wenjun's seconds were Pentala Harikrishna and Wei Yi, while Lei Tingjie's seconds were Teimour Radjabov and Raymond Song.
What was the significance of the 2023-2024 period for Chinese chess?
During this period, China held both the Open World Chess Championship (Ding Liren) and the Women's World Chess Championship titles.