Concerning Ding Liren’s Struggles at Norway Chess

Ding Liren Struggles at Norway Chess Tournament

In a recent interview with The Indian Express, Ding Liren opened up about his disappointing performances at the Norway Chess tournament in Stavanger. The world champion expressed his hope to not finish in last place after suffering four consecutive classical losses in the event, leaving him in clear last place with only 2½ points to his name.

One of Ding’s most notable losses came in round 6 against Magnus Carlsen, where he blundered a mate-in-two in a position that engines evaluated as balanced. Carlsen, who had previously mentioned his concerns about Ding’s form in a podcast, managed to secure the victory.

Ding has been candid about the mental health issues he has faced since winning the World Championship in 2023. In a recent interview with Die Tageszeitung, Ding revealed that he struggled with exhaustion, sleep issues, and depression, leading him to seek treatment in a clinic. Despite his challenges, Ding mentioned that things are slowly improving.

Several of Ding’s colleagues, including Hikaru Nakamura, have expressed their concern for Ding and their hopes for his recovery from this rough patch in his career.

Meanwhile, in the race for first place at the Norway Chess tournament, Magnus Carlsen has taken the lead with a 1-point advantage over Nakamura. R Praggnanandhaa currently holds third place in the standings.

As Ding looks to turn his fortunes around, all eyes will be on his upcoming games in the tournament. Monday’s seventh round will feature a crucial match between Nakamura and Carlsen, while Ding will aim to bounce back in his game against Pragg.

Despite his recent struggles, Ding Liren remains a formidable competitor in the world of chess, and fans are hopeful that he will overcome this challenging period and return to top form.