childhood
Born in Chongqing, China, on 29 May 1991.
Learned chess from her father at age six. "My father taught me all types of chess games and I fell in love with chess," she said.
Entered the Chongqing Chess Academy's chess class at age 6½.
Showed early talent, winning the World Youth U10 Girls Championship in Oropesa del Mar, Spain, in 2000 and 2001, and the World Youth U12 Girls Championship in Heraklion, Greece, in 2002.
Was selected into the Chinese national team at age 10 in 2001 and became a professional chess player at age 11 with the Chongqing Chess Institute.
Described herself as "introverted, but not shy" as a child.
education
Entered the grownup world very early: "I was selected into the national team at the age of 10".
She said: "I naturally accepted my father's arrangement: study chess, only chess. But the moment that I really started professional training was when I was 21 years old".
career
16th Women's World Chess Champion, winning the title in March 2017 in Tehran, Iran, defeating Anna Muzychuk on tiebreak (1.5–0.5).
Became the fifth Chinese player to win the Women's World Championship.
Won three World Youth Championships (U10 in 2000 and 2001, U12 in 2002).
Represented China in the Women's World Team Championship since 2009 and in the Chess Olympiad in 2008, 2012, and 2016.
Won the women's gold medal for board 4 at the 42nd Chess Olympiad in 2016.
Won the 2024 Women's Candidates with a dominant performance.
Known for her mental strength: "Every game was very tough and I think my mental strength helped me in the final".
stories & anecdotes
When she won the World Championship in 2017, she entered the event ranked ninth and said: "I had expected to make some moves at this big event, such as reaching the last 16".
According to her father, Tan Kairong, she used to train for 10 hours a day and participated in about 80 matches a year.
She unwinds by playing video games and reading fantasy fiction: "I like staying at home if possible, playing video games and reading fantasy fictions".
quotes
"My father taught me all types of chess games and I fell in love with chess."
"Every game was very tough and I think my mental strength helped me in the final."
"I like staying at home if possible, playing video games and reading fantasy fictions."
publications
Tan has not authored a major instructional book, but her games have been collected in various volumes.
Play through Tan Zhongyi’s games
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Editorial note: this profile was adapted from supplied research notes. Historical details and attributed quotations should be fact-checked before formal publication.