Magnus Carlsen Expresses Concern for Ding Liren’s Future, Praises Gukesh Dommaraju

Title: Magnus Carlsen Expresses Concern Over Ding Liren’s Future, Praises Gukesh Dommaraju

In a recent episode of the podcast Sjakksnakk, former world champion Magnus Carlsen shared his thoughts on reigning World Champion Ding Liren and the 17-year-old Candidates Tournament winner Gukesh Dommaraju. Carlsen expressed concerns about Ding’s future in chess, suggesting that he may be “permanently broken” after his world championship victory.

Carlsen highlighted Ding’s struggles since winning the world championship title, citing his low activity level, poor results, and undisclosed health issues. He questioned whether Ding would be able to return to his peak performance from 2019, expressing uncertainty about the former world number two’s future in the game.

On the other hand, Carlsen praised Gukesh, calling him “a wonderful guy” with a great curiosity for chess. He commended the teenager for his ambitious and powerful style of play, noting that Gukesh had the potential to become a world championship challenger. Carlsen also revealed that he had a conversation with Gukesh before the Candidates, offering him advice to stay focused and not get carried away by the competition.

As Ding prepares to face Carlsen in the upcoming Norway Chess tournament, the chess world eagerly awaits to see if the former world champion can overcome his challenges and return to form. Carlsen expressed hope that Ding would be able to show his previous level of play but acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his comeback.

Overall, Carlsen’s comments shed light on the competitive and challenging nature of professional chess, emphasizing the mental and physical toll that top-level competition can take on players. As the chess world continues to evolve, fans will be watching closely to see how both Ding and Gukesh navigate their respective paths in the game.