Every day that passes in the world of chess unfolds without its world champion, Magnus Carlsen, the best player globally, who opted not to defend his title. His successor, Ding Liren, also appears disinterested in playing chess, raising questions about the state of the championship.
While past world chess champions may not have been the best players at times, it’s unprecedented for a newly crowned champion to display such reluctance to compete. The lack of desire from Ding Liren to play chess is an issue that prompts consideration about the future of the championship.
Chess has a unique competitive heritage where to become the champion, you must defeat the current champion. This tradition has been upheld since Wilhelm Steinitz in 1894. Exceptions have led to skepticism about the successor’s credentials until they prove their worth.
In 1948, Alexander Alekhine’s death left the championship unresolved, and Mikhail Botvinnik earned the title by winning a super-strong tournament, confirming his status as the strongest player. In 1972, Bobby Fischer resigned his title, making Anatoly Karpov the champion by default. Karpov solidified his position through victories in elite-level tournaments.
The split in 1993, when Garry Kasparov formed a separate championship cycle, led to doubts about the legitimacy of FIDE’s champion. Vladimir Kramnik defeated Kasparov in 2000, and the title was reunited in 2006.
In 2022, Magnus Carlsen chose not to defend his title, and Ding Liren won the championship. However, Ding’s lack of participation in high-level events and his inability to challenge Carlsen directly in a match have raised concerns about his legitimacy.
The COVID-19 pandemic affected Ding’s ability to compete in top events, and his absence from high-profile tournaments impacted his competitive standing. He was given a spot in the Candidates Tournament due to Sergey Karjakin’s suspension and a unique round-robin competition organized to meet qualification requirements.
Despite these challenges, Ding Liren won the championship against Ian Nepomniachtchi. However, since then, he has played in a few tournaments, and his reluctance to engage with the chess community has raised questions about his commitment as a champion.
Ding’s recent withdrawal from the Sinquefield Cup, a prestigious invitational, and his limited top-level chess participation, coupled with the shadow of Magnus Carlsen, have cast doubt on his status as a legitimate successor. While he may have demonstrated his skills in the past, his inactivity and lack of transparency have created uncertainty.
As the chess world continues to evolve and engage in various competitions, the absence of Ding Liren, the world champion, remains conspicuous. He has not shown interest in competing in elite-level events or fulfilling his ambassadorial role.
Considering the challenges and the passage of time, it is unclear if Ding will change his approach, either in terms of participating in high-level tournaments or embracing his role as a world champion. It is possible that he may be remembered as one of the asterisk champions during the FIDE split years, similar to Kasimdzhanov or Ponomaryov.
The chess world is currently vibrant, with significant interest and accessibility to the game. Despite this, the absence of the world champion and the controversies within the chess community suggest a need for a calm and rational voice, possibly from Ding Liren.
With more than half a year gone, Ding’s lack of involvement in top-level competitions raises questions about his intentions. While Magnus Carlsen has distanced himself from the title, excluding himself from classical time control events, Ding Liren’s inactivity and indifference to the Candidates cycle create uncertainty.
The chess world may be approaching a sea change, with a new generation of players and a decline in ratings. Ding Liren’s reluctance to compete and his mixed results when he does compete raise doubts about his role as champion. The question remains: Would it be better for everyone, including Ding Liren, if he were dethroned in 2024? As chess undergoes transformations, there are new peaks to conquer, and Ding’s position is a subject of contemplation.