[1] The match was planned in two parts, one held in Shanghai (China) and one in Vladivostok (Russia), from 3 to 24 January 2020.

It marked a return to a match-only format for the title with a qualifying Candidates Tournament, after new FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich had expressed his dissatisfaction with the knock-out tournaments and resulting frequently changing world champions.

The newly-established Candidates Tournament was held from 29 May to 19 June 2019 in Kazan, Russia.

[4] Aleksandra Goryachkina replaced Hou Yifan, who declined an invitation.

On 24 January, 4 games of rapid chess were used as a tie-breaker; and Ju Wenjun retained the title with 1 win and 3 draws.