Ding Liren, the reigning FIDE World Chess Champion, has a legacy that speaks to both brilliance and resilience. However, as he prepares for a title showdown with 18-year-old Indian prodigy Dommaraju Gukesh in Singapore on November 25, Ding is the first to admit that he바카라s not the favourite. With his recent struggles, many are questioning if this once-dominant champion can rise to the challenge once more. (More Sports News)
He won the national championship three times and made waves internationally, achieving historic back-to-back final appearances in the 2017 and 2019 Chess World Cups. Ding also contributed to China바카라s team successes, earning multiple gold medals in the Chess Olympiads and the World Team Championships.
Ding바카라s name reached global heights with a 100-game unbeaten streak from August 2017 to November 2018, the longest of its kind until it was surpassed by former World Champion Magnus Carlsen. His consistent performances catapulted him into the top-five rankings and saw him break the 2800 Elo barrier, a prestigious milestone in the chess world.
But his most defining moment came in 2023 when he claimed the world championship title in a dramatic tiebreaker against Grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi.
Ding바카라s victory crowned him the first Classical World Chess Champion from China, fulfilling a lifelong dream and cementing his place in chess history. Yet, unlike past champions, Ding hasn바카라t dominated headlines or competitions since his victory.
Approaching his match with Gukesh, Ding seems weighed down by a lack of recent success. Despite his achievements, Ding바카라s recent classical form has been shaky. His last win came early in the year at Wijk aan Zee, and he hasn바카라t displayed the winning spirit he once had.
In a candid interview with Magnus Carlsen바카라s YouTube channel TakeTakeTake, Ding admitted, 바카라This is the longest I have gone without a classical win바카라. Maybe I바카라m not so eager to play바카라I don바카라t have the same ambitions to win.바카라 Despite his record, Ding openly described himself as the 바카라clear underdog바카라 against the young Gukesh, who has surged into form.
For Ding, Gukesh represents both a challenge and a personal test. "I hope I can become a totally different player and at least give him a fight,바카라 Ding said, recognizing that Gukesh바카라s rapid ascent makes him a formidable opponent.
Though Ding has beaten Gukesh in classical games, the Indian teenager바카라s recent performances have left a strong impression on the chess world, and Ding is aware of the task at hand. He shared, 바카라I바카라m worried about losing very badly (to Gukesh), hopefully, it won바카라t happen.바카라
Though Ding faces the match with trepidation, he is also motivated by his fans and supporters. 바카라Although I바카라m playing so badly, still so many players love and support me,바카라 he said. Ding is determined to prove that he still deserves the title and to showcase the strength and fighting spirit that won him the championship.
