Chongqing native took this year's women's title in Teheran, Iran

Tan Zhongyi had dreamed of becoming a world chess champion since she was 10.

But attaining the crown at age 25 still came as a surprise for the Chinese player, who only entered this year's event ranked ninth.

"I had expected to do well, such as reaching the last 16, but not this," she said.

"Every game was tough and I think my mental strength helped me in the final."

On March 3, in the final of the Women's World Chess Championship in Teheran, Iran, Tan defeated the favorite, Anna Muzychuk from Ukraine, to claim the title.

She became the 16th Women's World Champion and the fifth Chinese player to win the crown.

Born in Chongqing in 1991, Tan started to learn chess from her father at age 6.

"My father taught me all types of chess games and I fell in love with it," she said.

Even age 3, Tan was sometimes able to beat her father at Chinese checkers if he did not play his best game.

So he took her to Chongqing Chess Institute to learn more about the game.

She soon showed talent. In 2000 and 2001, she won the World Youth U10 Girls Chess Championship in Oropesa del Mar, Spain. The following year, she took the title at the World Youth U12 Girls Chess Championship in Heraklion, Greece.

Tan joined the Chinese national team when she was 10 in 2001 and became a professional chess player at age 11 with the Chongqing Chess Institute.

Since 2009, she has represented China in the Women's World Team Championship.

She also competed in the Chess Olympiad for China in 2008, 2012 and 2016, and won the women's gold medal on Board 4 at the 42nd Chess Olympiad last year.

A naturally gifted player, Tan is also diligent in her practice. She used to train for 10 hours a day and participated in about 80 tournaments a year to accumulate match experience and improve her skills. "I am always competing - whether at the matches or on the way to them," she said.

Wang Yaoyao has coached Tan since she was 7.

"She has a good attitude and is very focused," he said. "During competitions, she is always very cool and fearless, even when facing a tough player."

Now Tan is also a part-time chess coach herself.

"I will share my experience with my students and tell them that winning medals is not the only goal," she said.

"As long as you put your heart into it, you will be rewarded."

As chess is a high-stress activity, Tan has also had to find ways to unwind. "I like staying at home if possible, playing video games and reading fantasy fiction," she said.

tanyingzi@chinadaily.com.cn