Added on 9/17/2024
What is happening with Ding Liren?
The struggles of a World Champion
by David Llada
I started writing this article while, in Budapest, India and China were about to start their crucial round 7 match. Even before the first pawns were pushed, the clash had already made some headlines as the reigning World Champion, Ding Liren, sat out of this decisive encounter. Whether this was his choice or the team’s decision remains unclear. But the outcome is that India won a most decisive match: three games ended in a draw, while Gukesh won on board 1 against Wei Yi. Protecting a downfalling Ding Liren from a direct match-up against his rampant challenger seemed to be a higher priority for China.
I first realized something was off when I met Ding in Madrid during the Candidates Tournament in June 2022. He had traveled alone, arrived slightly late, and lost a crucial first-round match against Nepomniachtchi. I thought it was my duty as a host to do something nice for him and offer some comfort, so on the first rest day, I took him to my favorite Sichuanese restaurant in Madrid.
Like many introverts, Ding becomes candid and open once he feels comfortable and starts talking. He shared with me that he had barely left his hotel, fearing he might contract COVID and be forced to extend his stay in Madrid (spoiler alert: that's exactly what happened at the end of the tournament). He had even brought a rice cooker all the way from home and had been preparing his own meals in his hotel room. He hadn't expected to see the Gran Vía bustling with people, and he was delighted to discover that Retiro Park was just a short walk from his hotel.
Even though Ding is quite open in interviews and media appearances, during that lunch, he confided more than I can share. But it was clear that storm clouds were gathering, and you could sense the melancholy building up.
Fast forward almost a year to Astana, April 2023, when I welcomed him and the Chinese delegation to the playing hall for his World Championship match. It was his turn to choose the chair he would use during the games, pose for promotional photos, and give the official FIDE interview. As always, he exuded his trademark humility.
Backstage, I made small talk with his entourage, many of whom are old friends. "He's so kind. I want a boyfriend like Ding for my daughter!" I joked.
Suddenly, four heads simultaneously turned toward me. "How old is your daughter?" someone asked. My comment was meant as a joke, but I realized I had touched a very sensitive subject—the most sensitive point for Team Ding, in fact. It turned out he had broken up with his girlfriend just weeks before the match, and he was devastated.
It wasn't until a year later, after Ding lost four games in a row at Norway Chess, that the chess world realized how much he was struggling. In an interview with Hartmut Metz for TAZ (https://taz.de/Schach-Weltmeister-Ding-Liren/!6003099/), he mentioned the word "depression" for the first time.
Only then did I feel free to comment publicly on this matter, and I'd like to repeat those words here: Many people suffering from depression struggle even to get out of bed. Ding won a World Chess Championship under such conditions. Those mocking him on social media should let that sink in.
We should never underestimate Ding's resilience. Remember when he broke his hip at Norway Chess? He played in the Batumi Chess Olympiad while still using crutches. Since the bathrooms were far from the main boards, he avoided drinking during games to reduce the chance of needing to use the restroom. Despite these conditions, he led his team to victory and reached a career-peak rating of 2816.
I caught up with the World Champion a few days before the start of the Olympiad, via Wechat. He told me he's in a much better place now compared to last year. "It's going to be better. I hope you'll see the best of me in the match," he said.
Given recent performances, Gukesh is surely the current favorite to win the World Championship match against Ding. I'd go so far as to give the young Indian star a 60-65% chance of winning. But ruling out Ding entirely would be a mistake—Nepo learned that the hard way. Regardless of the outcome, I hope the chess world is not too critical of Ding's current struggles. On the contrary, the World Champion deserves our admiration.