The defending champion GM Ju Wenjun clawed her way back with a grueling 87-move victory over challenger GM Tan Zhongyi, leveling the match at 1.5-1.5.
In a tense Game 3, Tan opted for a sharp Sicilian and blitzed out her moves, building a significant time advantage. But Ju, known for her resilience in title matches, refused to buckle. A critical moment came just before the time control when Ju snatched a pawn, steering the game into an opposite-colored bishop endgame. Though theoretically drawish, the position remained treacherous—and when Tan faltered with 60...Bc6?, Ju pounced, converting her advantage in a nerve-wracking five-and-a-half-hour battle.
Ju’s decision to deviate early with 3.c4—a subtle surprise—set the tone for an original struggle. Tan laughed off suggestions that her rapid play was strategic, joking, "If anything, I’m slower than usual!" Yet despite her confidence, Ju’s precision in the endgame proved decisive.
Both players remained upbeat in the press conference, but the momentum may now be shifting. Ju, who has repeatedly bounced back from deficits in past title matches, seemed to relish the fight, admitting she felt *"in the zone.