The Fantastic Depths We Do Not See

Jun Wenjun is on the verge of defending her title in the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Chess Championship, needing only one draw out of the last four games to clinch. Thus, today is most likely the final rest day, so let’s look back at a moment from game 7 that may have slipped under the radar.

In response to the move 23. Nc5, Tan Zhongyi (Black) quickly played 23. …Rb6, which looks like the only way to hold both the rook and the bishop on a6. There was another option, though: 23. …Be2!?, which would be the strongest if everything can be calculated.

But that is not easy! Here are a couple of the mindblowing samples.

To start with, 24. Qxb4? is bad because of 24. …Bxd1, and White’s pieces are in disarray. The knight on c5 is pinned, and the other rook is stuck in the corner. White’s only good move is 24. Rxd8! Qxd8, and then there a few ways to be slightly worse, but still not 25. Qxb4?? because 25. …Qh4+ 26. Kg1 Bd6!! is totally winning.

27. e5 is not possible, because it loses the queen on b4. 27. g3 fails to 27. …Bxg3! and a sample mate is 28. fxg3 Qxg3+ 29. Kh1 Bf3#. The bishop on d6 even covers any check on b8. Black is a full rook down, remember!

Another reasonable question would be, after …Be2, if 24. Re1, simply moving the rook to attack the bishop. Then the winning move is 24. …Rd5!!.

Putting the rook under attack wins the game. It can’t be taken, because of 25. exd5 Rh4+, and if not, then Black has dual threats of …Rxc5 and …Rh5. A final line of fascination: 25. Qg3 Qxg3 26. fxg3 Rh5+ 27. Kg1 Bxc5+ 28. Bd4 Bxd4# is mate.

Perhaps Ju Wenjun explored some of this before playing Nc5, and was ready to defend. It is hard to say whether Tan Zhongyi did. Either way, this was a phenomenal example of the things happening under the surface of a chess game that may not appear on the board.

With thanks to GM Daniel King, who covered this in his post-game recap.