Aleksandra Goryachkina

The highest-rated woman never to win the World Championship. Drew all 12 classical games with Ju Wenjun in 2020, then lost the rapid tiebreaks by the narrowest margin. A devastating near-miss.

The Russian Powerhouse

Aleksandra Yuryevna Goryachkina was born on September 28, 1998, in Orsk, Russia. Her father was a chess trainer, and she learned the game at age four. By her teens, she was dominating junior events and transitioning smoothly to the senior circuit. Her playing style is aggressive and dynamic, built on powerful opening preparation and a willingness to create complications. She plays with an energy and ambition that has drawn comparisons to a young Kasparov.

The 2020 Heartbreak

Goryachkina won the 2019 Women's Candidates Tournament to earn the right to challenge Ju Wenjun for the World Championship. The match, played in Vladivostok in January 2020, was one of the most closely contested Women's World Championship matches ever. All twelve classical games were drawn. Neither player could break through. The quality of chess was exceptionally high, with both players showing deep preparation and resilient defense.

The rapid tiebreaks were equally tense. After three rapid games, Ju led 2.5-0.5, a score that flattered the closeness of the games. Goryachkina had come within half a point of the title, the narrowest possible margin. It was a devastating result for a player who had matched the champion move for move across twelve classical games.

The Best Without a Crown

Goryachkina remains one of the strongest female players in the world, consistently rated in the top three. Her aggressive style and powerful preparation make her a threat in any event, and she has continued to compete at the highest level since the 2020 match. Whether she will get another shot at the title remains to be seen, but her near-miss against Ju Wenjun stands as one of the most agonizing defeats in Women's World Championship history.