#17 World Chess Champion
Ding Liren – 17th World Chess Champion
The first Chinese player to become World Champion, Ding took the title in 2023 after a dramatic match with Ian Nepomniachtchi and held it until 2024.
- Country: China
- Title reign: 2023–2024
- Style: Deep calculation, resilient defense, resourceful counterplay
Ding Liren
World Champion 2023–2024
Overview
Ding Liren is known for his calm, resilient style and extremely high level of accuracy. Long before becoming World Champion, he was already regarded as one of the most solid players in history, famously going 100 consecutive classical games without defeat at elite level.
His rise to the crown in 2023, in a tense match against Ian Nepomniachtchi, made him the first World Champion from China and a central figure in modern chess history.
World Championship highlights
- Won the 2023 World Championship match against Ian Nepomniachtchi in Astana, taking the title in rapid tiebreaks after a 7–7 classical score.
- Became the first Chinese player to hold the World Chess Champion title, a milestone moment for Chinese and global chess.
- Defended his title in 2024 against rising star Gukesh Dommaraju in a closely fought match that was only decided in the final stages.
- Combined strong preparation with psychological resilience, frequently coming back from difficult moments in the match.
Playing style & legacy
Ding’s play is often described as deeply classical: excellent piece coordination, strong opening preparation and very precise calculation. He is especially dangerous in complex middlegames where quiet-looking positions hide rich tactical resources.
His long unbeaten streak at the top level, creative ideas in openings like the Queen’s Gambit and Catalan, and his World Championship victory have made him a reference point for a generation of ambitious young players, especially in China.
Ding Liren on ChessTV
On ChessTV.com you can explore Ding’s career through:
- Complete game collection with filters for openings, opponents and results.
- Head-to-head records vs other elite grandmasters.
- Key tournaments and standings, including his World Championship matches and elite super-tournaments.