How China Rules Women’s Chess – August 2025 FIDE Rankings

Take one look at the August 2025 FIDE rankings for women’s classical chess. One country stands out right away: China.

They don’t just have one or two stars. They have a whole army of strong players. From the very top to the rest of the top 100, China is leading the way. This isn’t luck. It’s the result of a strong system that keeps producing champions.

China at the Very Top

Here’s the most impressive part: 5 of the top 5 female chess players in the world are Chinese.

• Hou Yifan is number one. She’s a Grandmaster and a legend. Her rating is 2609, and she’s been leading for years.
• Right behind her is the current World Champion, Ju Wenjun, with 2570.
• Then comes Lei Tingjie (2565), who’s also played in world title matches.
• Tan Zhongyi (2539) and Zhu Jiner (2536) complete the Chinese top five.

These five are dominating. In many big tournaments, they end up playing each other in the final rounds. That’s how good they are.

Not Just a Few Stars

China’s power doesn’t stop at the top. If you look deeper into the Top 100, you’ll find more Chinese names. A lot more.

Here are a few:

• Lu Miaoyi – Rank 26, Rating 2439
• Song Yuxin – Rank 33, Rating 2414
• Ding Yixin – Rank 49, Rating 2392
• Shen Yang – Rank 54, Rating 2389
• Zhai Mo – Rank 62, Rating 2380
• Wang Pin – Rank 63, Rating 2378
• Guo Qi – Rank 70, Rating 2371
• Huang Qian – Rank 73, Rating 2367
• Xiao Yiyi – Rank 84, Rating 2354

That’s 14 Chinese players in the top 100. Russia have 12 and India 10. This shows that the country has both elite stars and rising talents. A strong chess culture is growing, and it’s growing fast.

What Makes China So Strong?

China’s success in women’s chess isn’t by chance. Here’s why they keep winning:

• They find talent early. Kids who show promise get serious training fast.
• They have chess academies. These are like sports schools, but for chess. Players study and train full-time.
• They play tough games at home. Their local tournaments are strong. That helps them stay sharp.
• They focus on deep thinking. Chinese players are known for smart, long-term strategies.
• They get support. The government backs chess, helping with training and travel.

This full system helps young players become champions.

Who Can Catch Up?

India is trying. Players like Koneru Humpy, Vaishali Rameshbabu, and Divya Deshmukh are doing great. They’re in the top 20 and climbing.

But China still leads. Not just because of one star. Because of a whole team. Because of a system that works.

The August 2025 rankings make one thing clear: In women’s classical chess, China is the boss.

Top 100 Women August 2025 FIDE Classical Chess Ranking

#	Name	Fed	Rating	B-Year
1	Hou, Yifan	CHN	2609	1994
2	Ju, Wenjun	CHN	2570	1991
3	Lei, Tingjie	CHN	2565	1997
4	Tan, Zhongyi	CHN	2539	1991
5	Zhu, Jiner	CHN	2536	2002
6	Koneru, Humpy	IND	2535	1987
7	Muzychuk, Anna	UKR	2535	1990
8	Goryachkina, Aleksandra	FID	2528	1998
9	Lagno, Kateryna	RUS	2505	1989
10	Assaubayeva, Bibisara	KAZ	2505	2004
11	Dzagnidze, Nana	GEO	2500	1987
12	Dronavalli, Harika	IND	2487	1991
13	Muzychuk, Mariya	UKR	2484	1992
14	Shuvalova, Polina	FID	2480	2001
15	Divya Deshmukh	IND	2478	2005
16	Osmak, Yuliia	UKR	2478	1998
17	Garifullina, Leya	FID	2477	2004
18	Vaishali, Rameshbabu	IND	2476	2001
19	Kosteniuk, Alexandra	SUI	2473	1984
20	Yip, Carissa	USA	2458	2003
21	Injac, Teodora	SRB	2455	2000
22	Kashlinskaya, Alina	POL	2449	1993
23	Khademalsharieh, Sarasadat	ESP	2446	1997
24	Arabidze, Meri	GEO	2444	1994
25	Batsiashvili, Nino	GEO	2441	1987
26	Lu, Miaoyi	CHN	2439	2010
27	Javakhishvili, Lela	GEO	2436	1984
28	Tsolakidou, Stavroula	GRE	2431	2000
29	Shukhman, Anna	FID	2420	2009
30	Sebag, Marie	FRA	2420	1986
31	Gunina, Valentina	FID	2418	1989
32	Khotenashvili, Bella	GEO	2415	1988
33	Song, Yuxin	CHN	2414	2005
34	Khamdamova, Afruza	UZB	2409	2009
35	Ushenina, Anna	UKR	2409	1985
36	Paehtz, Elisabeth	GER	2406	1985
37	Danielian, Elina	ARM	2405	1978
38	Wagner, Dinara	GER	2404	1999
39	Lee, Alice	USA	2403	2009
40	Ambartsumova, Karina	RUS	2403	1989
41	Cramling, Pia	SWE	2403	1963
42	Daulyte-Cornette, Deimante	FRA	2401	1989
43	Bulmaga, Irina	ROU	2400	1993
44	Buksa, Nataliya	UKR	2400	1996
45	Tania, Sachdev	IND	2396	1986
46	Stefanova, Antoaneta	BUL	2395	1979
47	Kiolbasa, Oliwia	POL	2393	2000
48	Mkrtchian, Lilit	ARM	2393	1982
49	Ding, Yixin	CHN	2392	1991
50	Galliamova, Alisa	RUS	2392	1972
51	Vega Gutierrez, Sabrina	ESP	2391	1987
52	Mammadzada, Gunay	AZE	2390	2000
53	Kulon, Klaudia	POL	2389	1992
54	Shen, Yang	CHN	2389	1989
55	Narva, Mai	EST	2386	1999
56	Tokhirjonova, Gulrukhbegim	UZB	2386	1999
57	Girya, Olga	RUS	2386	1991
58	Maltsevskaya, Aleksandra	POL	2385	2002
59	Salimova, Nurgyul	BUL	2385	2003
60	Badelka, Olga	AUT	2381	2002
61	Tang, Zoey	USA	2381	2008
62	Zhai, Mo	CHN	2380	1996
63	Wang, Pin	CHN	2378	1974
64	Efroimski, Marsel	ISR	2377	1995
65	Gaal, Zsoka	HUN	2376	2007
66	Vantika Agrawal	IND	2375	2002
67	Schippke, Manon	FRA	2374	2007
68	Rajlich, Iweta	POL	2373	1981
69	Balabayeva, Xeniya	KAZ	2371	2005
70	Guo, Qi	CHN	2371	1995
71	Fataliyeva, Ulviyya	AZE	2369	1996
72	Krush, Irina	USA	2367	1983
73	Huang, Qian	CHN	2367	1986
74	Beydullayeva, Govhar	AZE	2365	2003
75	Bodnaruk, Anastasia	RUS	2362	1992
76	Sargsyan, Anna M.	USA	2362	2001
77	Padmini, Rout	IND	2362	1994
78	Cyfka, Karina	POL	2362	1987
79	Socko, Monika	POL	2362	1978
80	Roebers, Eline	NED	2360	2006
81	Skripchenko, Almira	FRA	2359	1976
82	Hoang, Thanh Trang	HUN	2356	1980
83	Aulia, Medina Warda	INA	2355	1997
84	Xiao, Yiyi	CHN	2354	1996
85	Prishita Gupta	IND	2353	2011
86	Bivol, Alina	FID	2352	1996
87	Atalik, Ekaterina	TUR	2352	1982
88	Milliet, Sophie	FRA	2351	1983
89	Peng, Zhaoqin	NED	2351	1968
90	Munguntuul, Batkhuyag	MGL	2350	1987
91	Kamalidenova, Meruert	KAZ	2349	2005
92	Pham, Le Thao Nguyen	VIE	2348	1987
93	Kulkarni Bhakti	IND	2347	1992
94	Gara, Ticia	HUN	2347	1984
95	Cori T., Deysi	PER	2346	1993
96	Nurgaliyeva, Zarina	KAZ	2345	2009
97	Voit, Daria	RUS	2345	1994
98	Toncheva, Nadya	BUL	2344	2005
99	Nandhidhaa, P V	IND	2344	1996
100	Shvayger, Yuliya	ISR	2343	1994