World Champion Ding Liren on challenger Gukesh: He’s a very mature player for a 17-year-old

Ding Liren has had a rough initiation to being crowned the world champion. While Ding has rarely competed in events since becoming China’s first male world champion in April last year, in the handful of events he did enter, he’s endured a wretched run of results. At the Tata Steel Chess event in January, he could manage only two wins from 13 games while losing three. At the Magnus Carlsen-backed Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T Challenge in February, he lost 10 games out of 13 he played, while going winless.

Those two results, Ding says, came as a reality check for him. So much so that heading into the upcoming Norway Chess event, he says his goal is ‘not to finish last’ in the six-player field.

Ahead of the Norway Chess, which starts this weekend, world champion Ding Liren spoke to The Indian Express about how he feels he’s become a weaker player after becoming world champion, how wearing the crown put a target on his back, his upcoming world championship battle with Indian teenager D Gukesh, that comment from Carlsen about him being broken after becoming world champion and more. Edited excerpts:

After becoming the world champion, how has Ding Liren, the person, changed or evolved? What differences are you seeing in yourself?

Ding Liren: Maybe I became weaker in chess (smiles). Not as strong as before, maybe two years ago. This year also my performances did not go well. I spent more time resting rather than playing chess (in recent months).

When you say weaker, how do you mean that?

Ding Liren: Everytime I play a tournament, I lost ratings (smiles)! Be it classical or rapid tournaments. Also, I played a tournament in China and I finished in last place among six players. So it’s not been very easy.

How heavy is the world champion’s crown?

Ding Liren: It’s not so heavy anymore. It’s not as heavy now as the time I won the World Championship title. It’s become more soft (light) now. (After becoming world champion) I was relaxing. I didn’t play in too many events and had a break of a few months. So I am relaxed at this point.

I was wondering what you thought of the comment from Magnus that becoming the world champion had ‘permanently broken you’?

Ding Liren: He tried to state the truth. He said what he feels. After the world championship, it was very difficult (time) for me, at first I was exhausted (by the rigours of competing at the World Championship). Then, I was ill. But now I can say that I have recovered from the illness. But still, my strength is not back to my best version.

During these tough times, what did you do to feel better?

Ding Liren: Chess is the only thing I could do professionally. I continued to play chess. I didn’t give up playing chess even if I didn’t play a whole lot (in tournaments).

In a couple of tournaments you played after becoming world champion — Tata Steel Chess in January 2024 and Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T Challenge in February 2024 — the results didn’t go your way. Heading into Norway Chess, at what level do you think you’re at in terms of your chess at the moment?

Ding Liren: It was interesting. At Wijk aan Zee, I was aiming to finish first. It didn’t go so well. I finished near the bottom (of the standings). At Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T Challenge, I finished last. That was a big shock to me. Norway Chess will be a totally new challenge for me. There will be many strong players competing. My aim is not to finish in last place.

Ding Liren reacts during a game in the World Chess Championship. (PHOTO: Stev Bonhage via FIDE)

Do you feel like being a world champion puts a target on your back?

Ding Liren: Yes, maybe that’s the case. Everybody analyses my games and they know me very well ever since I became the world champion. So I have come in their targets.

How do you see the upcoming World Chess Championship battle with India’s Gukesh? Last time, you were a challenger. Now you’re a champion.

Ding Liren: Fortunately, I have a very good score against Gukesh. I beat him twice in Wijk Aan Zee (Tata Steel Masters) with black pieces. But in November, he will be a new player and not the same (Gukesh) from Wijk Aan Zee. It will be a new challenge for me.

Ding Liren takes on India’s Gukesh at the Tata Steel Chess tournament at Wijk Aan Zee. (PHOTO: Jurriaan Hoefsmit – Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2024)

Did you ever think that Gukesh would be the person sitting across the board for the World Chess Championship? What is your opinion of him?

I see Gukesh as a very calm player. Normally he plays like this (crosses his arms across his chest)… with determined gestures. He’s a very mature player at 17 years of age.

There is a chance the match will be held in India…

Ding Liren: I don’t think there’s an advantage to playing the World Chess Championship at home. I prefer to play away from home. Be it in India or any other country, rather than China. If you play in your home country, there will be so many people who will come to meet you and give you a lot of pressure. It’s hard to deal with it.

Ding Liren contemplates his next move during the World Chess Championship battle last year. (PHOTO: Stev Bonhage via FIDE)

From last time, how will your preparation for the World Chess Championship battle be different now that you have experienced it?

Ding Liren: Maybe I’ll start preparing earlier than last time. For the World Chess Championship last year, I started preparing at the last moment. But this time, we’ll have more time. We’ll start earlier.

Do you think you will be back to your best version by the World Championship in November?

Ding Liren: I hope so. There are still many tournaments ahead. I need to show at least my second best version (smiles).

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