Ding Liren Faces Mental Battles Ahead of Title Defense

Ding Liren, the current World Chess Champion, has openly discussed his mental challenges leading up to his title defense. "It doesn't feel like I'm playing as I used to," the 31-year-old revealed. "Their assessment is correct, and I don't know if I'll ever reach that level again."

After becoming the World Champion in April 2023 by defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi, Ding took a nine-month break and sought help from a psychologist. "I feel normal, and the doctor has given me some advice on how to cope," he shared, adding that he now tries to avoid stress by playing basketball after dinner. "I'm not at my lowest anymore. I've come out of the darkness. I'm playing decent chess, but I'm not winning."

In 2023, Ding replaced Magnus Carlsen and faced Nepomniachtchi in the World Championship in Kazakhstan. After a tightly contested match, he won in a rapid play-off. However, his current form raises questions about whether he can defend his title against challengers like the young Indian player D. Gukesh, whose FIDE rating is nearing the 2800 mark.

Ahead of their highly anticipated showdown in November, Ding has labeled his Indian challenger, D. Gukesh, as the favorite to win. "I've dropped a lot over the past year," Ding admitted, acknowledging that Gukesh currently has the upper hand. He also recognized that the new generation of chess players presents a significant challenge. "The new generation is very bold. They're willing to try different strategies that the previous generation might not have." Ding is aware that his rating is declining while younger players like Gukesh are reaching new heights.

Despite discussing his struggles, Ding has maintained his sense of humor. "I'm not Gukesh's best friend, so I don't know him well, but we'll get to know each other more as we battle in Singapore," he smiled. "But from what I've seen, Gukesh likes to put pressure on his opponents and, despite his age, plays like a seasoned pro."

Although some predict that Ding will be defeated in his title defense, he relishes the role of the underdog. "I like that the media are underestimating me. I’ll surprise them," he said confidently.