Ding Liren Faces Tough Challenge Ahead of World Chess Championship
SINGAPORE – The chess community has been buzzing with speculation about reigning champion Ding Liren’s recent performance and mental state as he prepares for his highly anticipated showdown against India’s rising star Gukesh Dommaraju. The World Chess Championship will take place in Singapore from Nov 25 to Dec 13.
Many, including world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and various netizens, have expressed doubts about Ding’s form, claiming that he is “not the same player” anymore. Reports also suggest that the Chinese grandmaster has been grappling with mental health issues.
Ding Acknowledges Recent Struggles
In a candid media interview via Zoom on Sept 30, Ding admitted that these concerns hold some truth.
The 31-year-old acknowledged, “It doesn’t seem like I’ve been playing the way I used to… Their assessment is correct, and I don’t know if I will ever reach that level again.”
After becoming world champion in April 2023, defeating Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi, Ding took a nine-month break. During this time, he sought help from a psychologist to address his mental health challenges.
“I feel normal,” Ding shared. “The doctor has given me advice on how to cope. Lately, I’ve been playing basketball after dinner, trying not to stress myself too much.”
He continued, “I’m okay, I’ve come out of the dark period of the past 1½ years. I’ve moved on and feel like I’ve been playing decent chess, though I haven’t been winning.”
Ding stepped in as a replacement for Carlsen, who withdrew from his title defense due to a lack of motivation. This left Nepomniachtchi, the 2022 Candidates tournament winner, to face Ding, the runner-up, in the title match held in Astana, Kazakhstan.
The two players tied 7-7 in the best-of-14 format, forcing a rapid play-off. Ding capitalized on Nepomniachtchi’s errors in time trouble and emerged victorious with 2.5 points to 1.5.
Challenges Ahead for Title Defense
However, defending his title at Resorts World Sentosa seems to be an uphill battle. At the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, which concluded just a week ago, Ding remained winless after eight games. He recorded seven draws and one loss, scoring the lowest among China’s five players.
Despite these setbacks, Ding remained hopeful during the Zoom interview, expressing his desire for a change in fortune.
“There haven’t been many changes since I became world champion,” he said. Being champion doesn’t make things easier, but I hope this changes soon. I’ll give my best at the World Championship.”
Facing Off Against Gukesh
When asked about his upcoming match against 18-year-old Gukesh, Ding acknowledged the challenge ahead.
“My competitor is young but very strong,” Ding admitted. His Fide rating is approaching 2,800, while mine has been declining. There’s quite a gap between us.”
Currently, Gukesh is ranked world No. 5 with a Fide rating of 2,794, while Ding sits at 21st with 2,728 points.
During the 2023 World Championship, Ding was world No. 3, but he has since observed a shift in the chess landscape. “The new generation of chess players is very formidable, especially those in the top 10,” he noted. “Many of them were born after 2000. They play fearlessly and experiment with strategies that previous generations might not have.”
Four of the current top 10 players are from this younger generation.
Underdog Status Suits Ding
The Indian media has heavily criticized Ding’s recent form, with some even predicting that he will be “massacred” in his title defense. However, Ding doesn’t mind being the underdog.
“I like that the media are saying this,” he said. “I enjoy the feeling of being the underdog. I’ll surprise them.”
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