Ding Liren Signs with LGD Gaming, Plans Chess Comeback in 2025

The chess world is abuzz with excitement as the 17th World Champion Ding Liren has made a surprising announcement. The 32-year-old grandmaster has signed with Chinese esports organization LGD Gaming, marking his return to competitive chess in 2025.

Ding Liren joins a growing list of chess stars who have recently signed with esports teams ahead of the Esports World Cup (EWC). His signing comes on the heels of GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave’s deal with Team Vitality and the recent signings of GM Arjun Erigaisi and GM Volodar Murzin.

LGD Gaming officially announced Ding’s signing on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, welcoming him to their organization with open arms. The team, based in Ding’s hometown of Hangzhou, has a strong presence in popular esports titles such as Dota 2, League of Legends, and Honor of Kings.

After taking a break from competitive chess following his loss to GM Gukesh Dommaraju in December, Ding reflected on his decision to join LGD Gaming. In an email interview with Chess.com, he expressed excitement about the team’s Hangzhou roots and the opportunity to create new sparks together.

Despite his break from competing, Ding has kept chess on his mind, often seen replaying games online and playing bughouse and Chess960/Fischer Random on his Chess.com profile. Now, with his sights set on the upcoming Chessable Masters and other tournaments, Ding is ready to make his mark once again in the chess world.

Fans can look forward to seeing Ding Liren in action at the Chessable Masters, the Grand Swiss in Uzbekistan, and the World Rapid & Blitz Championship in Qatar later this year. With his return to competitive chess on the horizon, Ding is poised to make a strong comeback and showcase his skills on the global stage.