Reigning Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun will return to Norway Chess Women in 2026, this time competing in Oslo. One of the most accomplished and consistent women’s champions of the modern era, Ju comes back to the tournament as a familiar and formidable presence at the very top level of women’s chess.

“It’s nice to participate in Norway Chess Women once again. See you in Oslo!” says Ju Wenjun.

Photo: Norway Chess / Tor Nilssen & Kjetil V. Tveito

A five-time Women’s World Champion in classical chess, Ju has held the world title continuously since 2018. She is also a three-time world champion in fast chess, having won the Women’s World Rapid Championship in 2017 and 2018, as well as the Women’s World Blitz Championship in 2024. In March 2017, she became the fifth woman in history to surpass the 2600 rating mark.

Norway Chess Women – Raising the Bar in Women’s Chess

Launched in 2024, Norway Chess Women was established as the world’s first fully equal super tournament for women, staged in parallel with the main Norway Chess event. The tournament is played with the same format, number of players, playing conditions and prize fund as the open event, setting a clear standard for equality at the top level of professional chess.

Now entering its third edition, Norway Chess Women has firmly established itself as one of the most prestigious stages in women’s chess, bringing together the world’s strongest players in a highly competitive and internationally visible setting.

Norway Chess Women has been part of Ju Wenjun’s journey from the very beginning. At the inaugural edition in 2024, she delivered a strong performance and went on to become the first-ever Norway Chess Women champion, defeating 2023 Women’s World Championship challenger Lei Tingjie in the final round. She then returned in 2025 to finish fourth overall and comes back in 2026 to once again compete at the highest level.

“Ju Wenjun has been part of Norway Chess Women from the very beginning, and it means a lot to welcome her back as reigning Women’s World Champion,” says Benedicte Westre Skog, COO of Norway Chess. “She brings experience, consistency and a very high competitive level to the tournament, and we’re looking forward to seeing her compete in Oslo once again.”

Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza