Zhou Jianchao has recorded the longest unbeaten streak in Classical chess, but his achievement still pales in comparison to Magnus Carlsen’s feat from 2018 to 2020.
The world’s longest known run of consecutive Classical chess games without losing is over. The proud unbeaten record that is owned by Chinese-American Grandmaster Zhou Jianchao came to an end after 158 Classical games last week.
Incredibly, Jianchao, who has been playing for the USA since 2024, did not suffer a single loss in FIDE-rated classical tournaments for almost a year. But that record-setting streak ended early February when he lost to Toalian Grandmaster Francesco Sonis in the fourth round of the Connecticut Classical. Jianchao’s last defeat was against fellow countryman Andrew Lewis Titus on 23 May 2025 at the Annual Chicago Open.
Zhou Jianchao: The new Classical chess star
With his 158-game unbeaten streak in Classical chess, Jianchao broke the record of Croatian legend Bogdan Lalic, who scripted a 155-game unbeaten run in 2010-2011.
While a casual chess fan may not have heard about Jianchao, not losing a Classical for close to a year and across 158 games is a massive feat. Even the world’s best players, including Magnus Carlsen, suffer a few losses here and there on a consistent basis.
“I didn’t know how many games I had played without losing. Mentality is very important. If I had thought about this, it would have affected my performance, and I would have lost a long time ago,” Zhou told Chess.com.
Chess statistician Stefano Ferrara, who has been tracking Jianchao’s feat closely, noted that while the China-born Grandmaster had been playing against mostly weaker players in state events across the USA, he has also faced some unpredictable players.
“Getting to 100+ classical games without losing is incredible, getting close to 160 is historical objectively,” Ferrara told Chess.com. “But he also plays a lot of young, underrated players, so to get this record is still incredibly impressive.”
Ferrara, however, added that it would be unfair to compare Jianchao’s world record streak to five-time world champion Carlsen’s 125-game unbeaten streak from 2018 to 2020, which mostly came against players with an average rating of 2745.
“Of course, it would be unfair to compare his [Zhou’s] streak to Magnus’ 125-game streak because of the difference in the level of opposition,” the chess statistician added.
Carlsen vs Zhou Jianchao
Zhou Jianchao also has no problem admitting that Carlsen’s achievement was much better. “Carlsen is still obviously better. His opponents were much stronger, and his performance was better,” Jianchao said.
As compared to Carlsen, Zhou played against players with an average rating of 2298 during his 158-game unbeaten streak. He won 106 games and drew 52.
He played 26 games against Grandmasters and defeated Mahel Boyer, Praveen Balakrishnan, Brewington Hardaway, Emilio Cordova, and Robby Kevlishvili. His only match against a higher-rated opponent was a draw against current world No 22 Awonder Liang.
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