Ju Wenjun

Ju Wenjun is a Chinese Grandmaster and the reigning Women's World Chess Champion, a title she has held since 2018 and defended successfully four times. Born on January 31, 1991, in Shanghai, she began playing chess at age seven and quickly rose through the ranks of Chinese women's chess.

Her championship reign began in May 2018, when she defeated Tan Zhongyi in a match to claim the title. Later that same year, she won a 64-player knockout tournament to defend it. She successfully defended again in 2020 against Aleksandra Goryachkina, in 2023 against Lei Tingjie (6.5-5.5), and most recently in 2025 against Tan Zhongyi (6.5-2.5), making her one of the most dominant women's world champions in modern history.

Beyond the classical world title, Ju Wenjun is a two-time Women's World Rapid Champion (2017, 2018) and won the Women's World Blitz Championship in December 2024. Her peak classical rating of 2604, achieved in March 2017, placed her among the highest-rated women in chess history.

Ju Wenjun has competed in open tournaments alongside the world's top players. At the 2024 Tata Steel Chess Tournament, she defeated world number six Alireza Firouzja and drew against reigning World Champion Ding Liren, demonstrating her ability to compete at the highest level regardless of gender distinctions.

She graduated from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics in 2015, and she won the Chinese Women's Championship in 2010 and 2014. Her five consecutive world title reigns represent one of the most impressive streaks in women's chess history.