Ding Liren: 14 things we learnt about world champion from press conferences

In the press conference after Game 8, both players were asked if they had to visit one tourist attraction on Sentosa Island, where the World Chess Championship 2024 match is being played, what would it be. Both players were given three options: Adventure Cove Waterpark, Universal Studios or the Aquarium. And there was a catch, they had to visit one of these together.

“There’s not much of a difference (between all three). They are all for kids,” smiled Ding Liren.

Ding Liren is ‘not hiding’

At the 2023 World Chess Championship in Astana against Ian Nepomniachtchi, Ding spent a lot of his time away from the board, in his private players’ lounge.

Not this time. In Game 1 for example, Ding spent 245 minutes in his chair without a break.

“Today, I spent all the game sitting on the board. Not hiding in the players’ lounge like in the first game last time,” he grinned after beating Gukesh in Game 1.

Ding has no idea what ‘chilling’ means

Ding Liren was asked after Game 6 if he had seen the Ding Chillin’ meme. The phrase Ding Chillin’ is a play on “bing chilling”. That’s how the word ice-cream sounds in Mandarin (bing qi lin). The phrase “bing chilling” became popular world over when wrestler-turned-actor John Cena said it in a video. During the world championship, fans aware of the “bing chilling” phrase adapted it to start referring to the world champion as Ding Chillin’.

Ding Liren said he was clueless about the Ding Chillin’ meme. Or, the meaning of the word ‘chilling’ itself.

“What does chilling mean?” he asked as journalists laughed. When told by the moderator, grandmaster Maurice Ashley, that to chill means to relax and that there was also a connection to an ice cream brand in China, Ding answered: “I didn’t have ice cream here.”

Would Ding Liren accept help from engines in a game?

After game 9, both players were asked if they were allowed to check out the engine just for one move during game 9, what move would they do it on. Ding smiled as he said: “I did not need it at any point today. So maybe I will save it for later.”

Ding reads comments — even harsh ones — from ex-world champions

Ding Liren’s predecessors on the world champion’s throne like Vladimir Kramnik and Magnus Carlsen have criticised the level of play at the world championship in their YouTube recap videos.

The Chinese GM was asked if he was aware of the criticism about him and if it affected him.

“Yeah, I saw people say that I always underestimate my position and Gukesh always overestimated it. I also saw someone saying that I was playing out draws even when I was winning. It doesn’t affect me. They’re just telling the truth,” said Ding.

Ding Liren is a bit of a philosopher

After Game 6, Ding Liren was asked how he could be in prep — where he had already memorised his lines before the game — but still spent so much time thinking about his moves.

Ding’s reply was a deep one: “Because there are so many lines to prepare and this was just one of the lines. Preparation is like an iceberg. You saw the position that arose (the tip of the iceberg). But there are a lot of preparations that didn’t appear on the board. It’s under the sea.”

In another press conference after Game 1, Ding was asked about spending too much time on the board, he quipped: “Time flies very quickly.”

Ding cannot maintain a poker face

At the press conference after Game 4, both players were asked if they practised keeping a poker face, especially when an opponent makes a blunder.

“Since I am unable to see my reactions during a game, I don’t know if I am able to keep a poker face,” smiles Ding. “If my opponent makes some mistake, I think I will show some expressions.”

Ding Liren would love to face Tal

After Game 4, Ding Liren is asked if he had a time capsule and could play any player from history, who would it be. “He’s no longer with us, but I would have liked to play against Mikhail Tal.”

Ding admires Lamar Odom?!

After game 5, when both players were asked which athletes away from chess they admired the most, Ding started off with another deep reply. “It’s hard to say ‘admire’. But earlier, I used to watch the NBA a lot. So I used to admire Lamar Odom. And now I like Federico Chiesa. They’re not that famous,” Ding said.

Which past world champion inspires Ding Liren?

Ding Liren has picked Veselin Topalov and Magnus Carlsen as former world champions who inspire him.

The book that has impacted Ding Liren the most?

Game Changer (a book about AlphaZero’s playing style and strategy and the science behind it).

Ding Liren is not afraid of time trouble

At the World Championship, Ding Liren has already lost Game 3 on time and has come perilously close to disaster a few more times. Asked if he was concerned about this after Game 7, he said: “With black pieces I have been in trouble many times. I’m now used to it.”

World Championship match from past that fascinates Ding Liren

Topalov vs Anand. “It was the first time I closely followed a World Championship match,” he said.

If Ding Liren became a world champion again…

After game 6, both players were asked what they would do immediately after they became a world champion: “Last time I cried after becoming world champion. This time I might smile.”