Lichess’s Weblog • Interview: Ju Wenjun

At the moment we’re very fortunate to be joined by now the 5 instances defending FIDE Ladies’s World Champion, GM Ju Wenjun, who can also be the present Ladies’s Blitz Champion. GM Ju Wenjun, thanks a lot for becoming a member of Lichess at this time. To begin with, can we ask you, how does it really feel to have gained?

Oh, I really feel very excited. Like, all of the stress, once I change into champion, once I win a match, all of the stress is gone. All that’s left is happiness and likewise some tiredness.

Does it ever change? Clearly you have bought a lot [World Championship] expertise now. Does the sensation of happiness ever change? Is it a distinct sense of happiness?

Really, it is perhaps various in expertise. It is laborious to explain, however I do not suppose it is modified.

So it is at all times sort of the identical stage?

Yeah.

And also you stated one thing as nicely in regards to the stress sort of melting away. It clearly have to be such a pressured format. Are you able to describe a bit of bit about what the stress is like earlier than the match?

For instance, earlier than the match, once I was coaching, I might have ideas like: What if my opponent performs this transfer or performs that transfer. And there may be additionally loads of prep. Throughout the recreation, I feel it is one thing you perceive, that you want to simply do it, to carry out nicely. However this stress, it at all times comes with you. You can’t really feel prefer it’s very simple. It is not. It is completely different [from other types of stress].

So, like a complete new stage of stress and stress? It was stated in regards to the Singapore World Championship match, for instance, that loads of what was determined there was primarily based on psychology. Like at a sure level within the match format, it isn’t essentially the extent of chess, it is the psychological stability preparation. Would you say that is additionally true for this match right here as nicely?

You imply in Singapore?

Yeah, lots of people stated in Singapore it was all the way down to stability. Do you suppose it is the identical story as right here? It is also the psychological stability, which is maybe why you gained this match.

I really feel, for me, it is okay. However for her [GM Tan Zhongyi] perhaps one thing went unsuitable after recreation 5. And her efficiency, it was simply all of a sudden not her actual efficiency, not her actual stage.

And there is a very attention-grabbing factor there as nicely, since you and your opponent, you have recognized one another for such a very long time. And you’ve got performed towards one another for thus lengthy. Clearly you are skilled athletes, so the private side will be eliminated, however you already know one another’s taking part in kinds so nicely, you already know one another’s personalities so nicely. How does that have an effect in a match like this?

To know your opponent so nicely is perhaps tougher than taking part in a brand new opponent, as a result of she is aware of your type. So generally, you simply can’t act on it very aggressively or one thing. I imply, she is aware of the actual you. However for me — okay, that is additionally the identical for her — her stage is changing into stronger than ever, I feel, particularly within the final yr.

She had a really sturdy efficiency within the Candidates, however you have additionally had a wonderful yr. Properly, simply over a yr, you had a profession greatest victory with GM Alireza Firouzja. You drew towards the then open World Champion, GM Ding Liren, and also you turned Blitz World Champion. And now, for the fifth time, turned World Champion right here. So your kind can also be very spectacular. In that yr, with so many achievements, is that this your crowning victory of the final 18 months or so, or is there one thing else you might be extra pleased with?

I really feel probably the most proud achievement is that this match. Yeah. As a result of I really feel I carried out nicely, and likewise my group labored nicely, and likewise it is a lengthy match. So it is actually testing not solely the chess, but additionally the mentality, the physicality and a few vitality, and stuff.

Yeah, stamina and stuff. On that factor as nicely, that was an attention-grabbing level in Shanghai in one of many press conferences, the way you highlighted that your upbringing sort of influences your chess type. Would you be capable of elaborate a bit of bit extra on that, on how you are feeling that your character and background influenced your chess type?

I assume for chess gamers their character is a bit of bit like their taking part in type. So I’ve perhaps a extra strong type, positional type, which implies I often really feel no must be very aggressive. I simply really feel what’s pure.

The FIDE Ladies’s World Chess Champion 2025: GM Ju Wenjun.
Picture: Anna Shtourman / FIDE

Was there a component on this match as nicely, the place as a result of you already know GM Tan Zhongyi’s type or character so nicely, you maybe knew she would play aggressively, overextend and you could possibly maybe watch for her to overextend a bit of bit?

I really feel what I play within the recreation is simply: Okay, this transfer, I prefer it. And in addition, I can perhaps perceive why I made this transfer. For her, I really feel, really, she is just not as aggressive as within the earlier match. So this time we’re each extra strong. I feel actually each recreation ended up in an endgame. So, this time, I assume it is extra like endurance and a few method. Yeah, some positional performs.

You confirmed actually sturdy endgame method, primarily each single recreation. So, positively a really strong type. Speaking a bit about that, you talked about a couple of minutes in the past about your group. You have talked about that you simply’re working with GM Ni Hua, GM Maxim Matlakov, and WGM Wang Pin.

Sure.

How did this group come about? How lengthy have you ever been collaborating with one another?

So, for Ni Hua, we began working collectively since 2016. And, for each match, I gained this title, and he was at all times a coach of my group. And okay, he’s additionally my colleague in Shanghai, and Wang Pin as nicely. So we now have recognized one another for an extended, lengthy, very long time. For Maxim, we began working within the final yr, and he gave some recommendation throughout tournaments, additionally some coaching periods. So I feel we now have a great group, and so they collaborate nicely.

The outcome right here, in fact, reveals it is a good group and that they collaborate nicely. Lots of people typically suppose chess on the elite stage is perhaps fairly lonely. However might you focus on a bit of bit about how a lot time you spent working collectively, like what number of hours of labor and preparation it takes to do a match like this?

Properly, I feel perhaps earlier than the match, it was sort of a large work. Normally, from morning perhaps to earlier than dinner. Some break hours. Nevertheless it’s a large quantity of labor. And I feel throughout the match, really, they did the large work. They analyze issues a lot each time they’ve time. I additionally work some, however not as a lot as earlier than the match.

Is smart. And what number of hours a day? Probably 12 hours a day?

Oh no, not that a lot.

However a number of hours a day of labor?

Okay, generally. I did not actually verify. Typically you are feeling drained and also you simply take a pause.

And there was an attention-grabbing second as nicely yesterday within the press convention the place you talked about with WGM Wang Pin that she additionally at instances appeared to love consolation you, for those who had been discovering some pressures. Might you elaborate on that?

Sure, okay. She will be able to accompany me loads of the time once I’m not taking part in chess. And in addition she was once on the Chinese language nationwide group, she gained this Olympic gold medal for China. So she has loads of expertise as a chess participant. She offers me some recommendation and she will be able to additionally purchase me some fruits. And she or he additionally helps me to calm down.

Typically, even after a few of your wins, you did not appear notably comfortable afterwards.

Properly, sure, I feel that is sort of a behavior. Possibly not so nice. However for me, I do not really feel that as a result of the match remains to be occurring, so I do not really feel that it is time to be comfortable but.

That is a part of your psychological stability you had been speaking about, you simply concentrate on what’s forward of you. Simply on the video games.

Sure, I assume I used to be. After I was within the press conferences, I used to be nonetheless targeted on the video games.

it is an effective way to be very dependable and powerful. That is the second time, now that you’ve got performed GM Tan Zhongyi — nicely, in a match format — do you are feeling like there’s any sort of distinction from the primary time in comparison with the second time?

Yeah, I feel from the primary time, she is extra aggressive. And in addition, that point, I used to be a challenger and he or she was the champion. So for me it was like I am not completely new, however perhaps I wasn’t so conversant in the match format. However I feel after these seven or eight years we each grew up and grew stronger. She additionally had a really profitable profession within the final yr. However this time I really feel perhaps she ready nicely and he or she performed nicely. However after perhaps spherical 5 or one thing, it was simply not going so nicely for her.

GM Ju Wenjun is topped the Ladies’s World Chess Champion for the fifth time.
Picture: Anna Shtourman / FIDE

Some individuals on-line had been likening it to Carlsen vs. Nepomniachtchi, in the way in which that you simply had been fairly sturdy, secure, positional, and generally Tan was a bit like Nepo, perhaps sort of fascinated about her errors after she had made them.

Properly, really I don’t know. Typically I perceive that perhaps she ought to be a lot better than what she carried out, however perhaps she has some, you already know, some stress, and likewise one thing that caught along with her.

A special manner of dealing with the stress. It was attention-grabbing there as nicely, you talked about that you simply felt she was very nicely ready within the opening, and he or she additionally stated this yesterday within the press convention, that she felt her opening preparation was good. In the event you needed to fee each of your ranges on a scale of 1 to 10 on this match – in opening, middlegame, endgame – What sort of grades would you give for your self and for Tan?

I feel basically we’re at a couple of related stage, however in endgames I used to be barely higher. And in addition I feel Tan Zhongyi is simply not displaying her true stage. So I feel perhaps I might give an eight for all, however perhaps a 9 within the endgame for me, and eight one thing for her.

Or perhaps you are being humble, right here! Your endgame was perhaps stronger than that. There have been, primarily, no inaccuracies by you within the endgames. So very, very sturdy play. We additionally needed to the touch on one thing else. In an interview on-line with the South China Put up, you stated that you simply discover the thought of getting a fifth title protection very motivating. Do you discover the thought of a sixth title protection motivating as nicely?

Properly, this query is just too early. It is too early. Yeah. I imply proper now I need to actually simply have a second to calm down after which to suppose. As a result of every part is like perhaps one or two years away. So yeah, it is nonetheless too quickly to inform.

Another world champions have just lately walked away — would you stroll away from defending the title or would you at all times need to defend the title?

Really, I really feel like I simply attempt to take pleasure in this match, so it doesn’t matter — defending or one thing. However I simply attempt to play the match and attempt to perhaps concentrate on performing higher than the opponent.

Seeking to the long run as nicely. There’s clearly loads of very sturdy gamers arising. Are there any specific gamers you have got your eye on that you simply’d prefer to play in a match format?

Okay, not specifically, however I feel if somebody qualifies, then she can be very motivated and really sturdy.

So you may play whoever, whoever you have bought subsequent.

Yeah.

Clearly, one title that needs to be talked about is WGM/IM Lu Mioayi, who’s rising in a short time and is a really sturdy younger participant. GM Levon Aronian and GM Magnus Carlsen up to now have stated that they like beating the youthful technology early, in order that they be taught to worry going through that older participant once more. Do you subscribe to this mentality as nicely?

I perceive this technique. Yeah, I perceive. However I really feel I am not that sort of technique particular person. I simply really feel like if I do play her, then I’ll attempt to in all probability play for a win, however perhaps not beat her simply because somebody is younger or one thing.

You will not purposefully attempt to do it. Simply if the chance is there. And simply now that the match is over, have you ever bought some ideas on how you are going to spend the time enjoyable?

Sure, for enjoyable, I feel after the match, after dinner, I’ll simply go have a stroll after which not too lengthy, similar to 20 minutes or one thing, simply to calm down and have some recent air.

GM Ju Wenjun holding her trophy on the Closing Ceremony.
Picture: Anna Shtourman / FIDE

And any plans arising. You have bought this new match arising as nicely, proper? The Nationwide Mental Video games fairly quickly.

Yeah. It is some qualification for the Nationwide Video games. And in addition earlier than that, I’ve Norway Chess.

So not a lot time to relaxation.

Really, no, not a lot. Not a lot.

No relaxation for the depraved, as they are saying. And simply in a short time. Do you have got any pursuits outdoors of chess as nicely? Any hobbies?

Only a few hobbies. Possibly espresso.

And also you say you want listening to music as nicely?

Yeah, yeah, music additionally. However I imply to say that that is an curiosity, is sort of — perhaps you do not have many pursuits.

So do you do karaoke generally too?

Karaoke? I do not do this anymore.

Oh, okay. Oh — anymore. Did you simply say you did not do it anymore?

Sure. I feel once I was fairly younger, I did some karaoke. However now I haven’t got that a lot time.

After all, sure. Thanks a lot for becoming a member of us at this time, Ju Wenjun, and congratulations on the trophy and the fantastic victory. It is an actual pleasure to talk with you. Thanks a lot.

Thanks very a lot. Thanks.