Second Half of FIDE Women's World Championship Match Opens in Vladivostok

Game 7 to be played on January 16.

The opening ceremony of the second half of the FIDE Women's World Championship Match between Ju Wenjun (China) and Aleksandra Goryachkina (Russia) took place in Vladivostok on January 15.  

Vera Scherbina, Vice-Governor and the Chairperson of the Government of the Primorsky region, Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President, Wang Xiaochun, Deputy General Consul of China in Vladivostok, and Nigel Short, FIDE Vice-President, delivered speeches at the opening ceremony. 

Vera Scherbina greeted the guests of the Primorsky region. "Vladivostok is not only a business but also a cultural and sports capital of the region. We are happy to host such a large-scale event. There are more than 3000 chess lovers in Primorye that's why it is a very big event for us. A wast additional programme will be organizers for chess fans, who will be able to use a free shuttle bus from the city centre". 

Arkady Dvorkovich: "I thank all the partners and organizers of the Match, in particular, the Chinese Chess Association, all Chinese sponsors, Government of the Primorsky region, Governor Oleg Kozhemyako, Gidrostroy, Gazprom, Chess Federation of Russia, Far Eastern Federal University, all the partners of FIDE and CFR, and sponsors of the participants, including Andrey Simanovskiy and Ju Wenjun's supporters. The whole world is watching the Match with great interest. I think that this event will help promote chess in this wonderful region. We will do our best to create comfortable conditions for both players. I declare the second part of the Women's World Championship Match open".



Wang Xiaochun: "I am very glad to be at the opening ceremony of the Women's World Championship Match. On behalf of the General Consul Yang Wenbin and the General Consulate of China in Vladivostok, I would like to congratulate everyone on this wonderful event and thank all the organizers and partners. Such sport events enrich friendly relations between China and Russia. Chess is very popular in both countries, the Russian and Chinese take leading positions in the world chess rating lists. This match demonstrates the strength and high level of our players. I wish success to both participants".

Nigel Short noted that Vladivostok is a special place for him and called the match a very exciting encounter of two strongest chess players. The grandmaster recollected that in his childhood years he had met chess legends - Lajos Portisch, David Bronstein, Viktor Korchnoi and communication with them had inspired him to continue his chess development and achieve great heights. "I welcome all chess fans to come to see the Match with their own eyes and take part in the side events. These impressions will stay with you for the rest o of the life" the grandmaster said. 

Vera Scherbina and Wang Xiaochun gave a symbolic start to the second part of the Match by pushing the buttons of the authentic chess clock which had been used during the World Championship Match Botvninnik vs. Smyslov in 1958. 



The official part was followed by the artistic performances of dancers and singers.

Alexander Verkhovsky, Chairperson of the Board of directors of Gidrostroy, general sponsor of the Match, sent a message of greetings to the participants and guests:

"We are witnessing and partaking in a unique contest. Just like all chess games. In this lies its beauty and power. Chess is above and beyond time, politics, and all pretenses. Chess unites. Chess makes us all one family. Here's to hoping that this Women's world Championship Match will be remembered in history as a prime example of great sportsmanship and friendship between two great chess nations". 



The score in the match is equal 3-3. Ju Wenjun will have the white pieces in the seventh game.

The match days in Vladivostok are January 16-17, 19-20, and 22-23. The games will start at 3:30 PM local time (08:30 AM Moscow time). The tie-break (if needed) will be played on January 24. The closing ceremony will take place on January 24.  

The venue in Vladivostok is the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University on the Russky Island.

A big additional programme will be organized during the Match in Vladivostok.

The prize fund provided by the Organizer is a minimum of EUR 500,000 net of any applicable local taxes. The prize fund is divided as follows: 60% to the winner and 40% to the runner-up if the Match ends within 12 games. In case the World Women’s Champion title is decided in the tie-break, the winner receives 55% and the runner-up receives 45% of the prize fund. 

The organizers are International Chess Federation (FIDE), the Chinese Chess Association, Chess Federation of Russia (CFR), and the Government of the Primorsky region. 

Gidrostroy group of companies is the general sponsor of the FIDE Women's World Championship Match.

The Match is supported by Gazprom. 

General partner of CFR is PhosAgro. Partners are SILA International Lawyers and the Far Eastern Federal University.

Official website

Tournament page

Photos by Eteri Kublashvili