Ding Liren

Ding Liren is a Chinese chess grandmaster who served as the 17th World Chess Champion from 2023 to 2024. He is the first Chinese player to ever win the world title. Career and World Championship
World Champion (2023–2024): Ding won the title in April 2023 after defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi in a dramatic rapid tiebreak in Astana, Kazakhstan. He lost the title in December 2024 to Indian grandmaster Gukesh D, who became the youngest world champion in history.
Undefeated Streak: Between August 2017 and November 2018, Ding maintained a 100-game unbeaten streak in classical chess, a record at the time that was later surpassed by Magnus Carlsen.
Domestic Success: He is a three-time Chinese Chess Champion (2009, 2011, 2012) and became the youngest person to win the title at age 16.
Peak Rating: He reached a peak FIDE rating of 2816 in 2023, making him the highest-rated Chinese player in history. Recent Status and Health
Current Standing (2026): As of early January 2026, Ding is listed as an "inactive" player in classical chess by FIDE due to a lack of tournament participation since losing his title.
Personal Struggles: Following his 2023 victory, Ding struggled with his mental and physical health, revealing in interviews that he suffered from exhaustion, insomnia, and depression.
Activity: Despite being inactive in classical chess, he has remained sporadically active in rapid and blitz formats and participated in the 2025 Speed Chess Championship.