In December 2024, 18-year-old Indian prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju dethroned China’s Ding Liren to become the youngest World Chess Champion. Gukesh secured a 7.5-6.5 victory in Singapore, surpassing Garry Kasparov’s record by four years. Ding Liren vs Gukesh’s match unfortunately ended in a hiatus in Ding’s career.
Ding Liren’s Return to Competitive Chess
Following his defeat, 32-year-old Ding Liren took a brief hiatus from the chess scene. He is now set to re-enter competition at the Chessable Masters, commencing on February 16. Additionally, Ding has joined forces with Chinese esports organization LGD Gaming, based in his hometown of Hangzhou. Reflecting on this collaboration, Ding remarked, “It’s funny how, when we were kids, online games were forbidden by parents. Now it’s being encouraged.”
Upcoming Tournaments and Adjusted Focus
Ding has confirmed his participation in the Grand Swiss Tournament in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, scheduled from September 3 to 16, and the World Rapid & Blitz Championship in Doha, Qatar, from December 26 to 31. He plans to concentrate more on rapid and blitz formats rather than classical games. “I think I will continue my career. Maybe just play lesser tournaments. Instead, I will play more rapid and blitz than classical,” Ding stated.
After clinching the world title in 2023 by defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi, Ding faced personal challenges, including treatment for depression. His classical rating declined to 2728, placing him 23rd globally. Despite these hurdles, Ding remains a formidable presence in the chess community.
Also Read: WATCH: Gukesh vs Fabiano – Champion’s Calm at 62 BPM
A Glimpse into Ding’s Background
Born on October 24, 1992, in Wenzhou, China, Ding Liren began playing chess at the age of four. He achieved the Grandmaster title in 2009 and reached a peak rating of 2816 in November 2018. Notably, Ding held an unbeaten streak of 100 classical games from August 2017 to November 2018. Although, Ding Liren was disappointed after loss against Gukesh, the former world champ finally starts preparing for the upcoming tournaments. His journey underscores the challenges and triumphs inherent in the life of a chess grandmaster.
Also Read: WATCH: Vincent Keymer vs Magnus Carlsen – The German GM Wins to Reach Finals
