Ding Liren’s journey to become the first Chinese World Chess Champion is as much about resilience as it is about genius. 

He recently grabbed the spotlight by breaking chess tradition. As he openly collaborated with Richard Rapport during the 2023 World Chess Championship in Astana. 

In the World Chess Championship, it’s tradition for players to keep their seconds, those who help them prepare secret. Such as, when Anand played Magnus Carlsen in 2013, Carlsen secretly enlisted Ukraine’s Pavel Eljanov to prepare against Anand’s defenses, particularly the Caro-Kann.

However Ding Liren broke tradition at the 2023 World Chess Championship in Astana by openly working with Richard Rapport, a partnership that shocked the chess world. Unlike others, like Carlsen, who kept their seconds hidden, Ding and Rapport embraced the spotlight. By the 2024 Championship, their collaboration had become well-established, with Ding's transparency about working with Rapport becoming a defining aspect of his journey.

However, from a humble beginning to great success, Ding’s rise was methodical and marked by milestones. Born in the chess-loving city of Wenzhou, China, in 1992, Ding’s introduction to the game came early. His potential was soon recognized, and by 2009, he became the youngest-ever Chinese National Champion at just 16, marking the start of his rise on the global chess stage.

He helped China win gold at the Chess Olympiads in 2014 and 2018 and etched his name in the history books with an incredible 100-game unbeaten streak from 2017 to 2018. Despite setbacks, such as losses in the Chess World Cup finals in 2017 and 2019, Ding remained undeterred.

In 2022, fate intervened when Magnus Carlsen decided not to defend his World Championship title. Ding, who finished second in the Candidates Tournament, was thrust into the spotlight for the match against Ian Nepomniachtchi in Astana, Kazakhstan. The championship was a nail-biter. Tied at 7-7 after 14 classical games, Ding triumphed in the rapid tiebreak, becoming the first Chinese player to claim the Classical World Chess Championship.

Victory, however, came at a cost. The pressures of the game and personal challenges led Ding to take a nine-month break in 2024 to focus on his mental health. His honesty about his struggles, including battles with depression, humanized a figure often seen as invincible on the board. In an interview, he candidly admitted, “I’ve moved past the worst moments. I know I’ve been playing great chess—I just couldn’t win certain positions.”

Ding’s return later that year, marked by performances at the Tata Steel tournament and the Olympiad, proved that he remains a formidable force. His journey—from a curious child in Wenzhou to a global chess icon—is a testament to the power of persistence.

Ding Liren’s story transcends the 64 squares of a chessboard, inspiring not just players but anyone striving to overcome obstacles. It’s a reminder that even in the most complex games, resilience can lead to victory.