Tan Zhongyi: the Chinese champion who returned to the top
- País
- 🇨🇳 China
- Título
- Grandmaster (GM)
- Nacimiento
- 29 May 1991, Chongqing (China)
- Estado
- activa
- Último ELO
- 2540 · jun 2026
- ELO máximo
- 2548 · 2018
- Campeón del mundo
- 2017–2018 (Women's World Champion)
In China’s long hegemony over women’s chess, Tan Zhongyi holds a special place: world champion between 2017 and 2018 and, years later, capable of winning the Candidates Tournament again to fight for the crown once more. Her fighting spirit and perseverance make her one of the great representatives of Chinese dominance.
Who is Tan Zhongyi
She was born on 29 May 1991 in Chongqing, China. A product of the powerful, well-funded Chinese high-performance chess system, she was world junior champion and steadily rose to the elite of world women’s chess.
World champion
In 2017, Tan Zhongyi was crowned Women’s World Champion, winning the championship contested in knockout format. She held the title until 2018, when she lost it to compatriot Ju Wenjun, in one of many duels between great Chinese players for the world crown.
Her reign placed her on the long list of Chinese world champions who have dominated women’s chess since 1991.
The return to the top
What sets Tan Zhongyi apart is that she didn’t give up after losing the title. She kept competing at the highest level, and in 2023 she won the Women’s Candidates Tournament, earning the right to play for the World Championship again.
Returning to the fight for the crown years after losing it is a testament to her fighting spirit and character. She thus set up another duel for the women’s world title, confirming she remained among the best on the planet.
Her chess DNA
In our chess DNA system, Tan Zhongyi represents the fighting champion profile: balance between attack and soundness, good technique, and a fighting spirit that makes her rise again and again. If your GM twin is Tan Zhongyi, your strength lies in balanced play and perseverance; your virtue is never giving up and clawing your way back to the top through character.
Keep exploring
- Ju Wenjun, her compatriot and rival for the world title
- Hou Yifan, the highest-rated player in women’s chess
- Maia Chiburdanidze, the last champion before the Chinese era
- World chess champions
- All players
Preguntas frecuentes
When was Tan Zhongyi world champion?
Tan Zhongyi was crowned Women's World Champion in 2017, winning the championship contested in knockout format. She held the title until 2018, when she lost it to compatriot Ju Wenjun. Her reign, though relatively brief, placed her on the long list of Chinese world champions who have dominated women's chess since 1991, confirming the extraordinary depth of talent in the Asian country.
How did Tan Zhongyi return to the fight for the world title?
After losing the title in 2018, Tan Zhongyi didn't give up: she kept competing at the highest level, and in 2023 she won the Women's Candidates Tournament, earning the right to play for the World Championship again. Returning to the fight for the crown years after losing it is a testament to her fighting spirit and perseverance. She thus set up another duel between two great Chinese players for the women's world title.
Why has China dominated women's chess for decades?
Since Xie Jun won the title in 1991, China has been the dominant power in world women's chess, producing champions like Xie Jun, Zhu Chen, Xu Yuhua, Hou Yifan, Tan Zhongyi, and Ju Wenjun. This dominance comes from a strong state commitment to competitive chess, with high-performance programs and a very deep talent pool. Tan Zhongyi is one of the representatives of that winning tradition that has made China the benchmark for women's chess.