“It doesnโt seem like Iโve been playing the way I used toโฆ and their assessment is correct and I donโt know if I will ever reach that level again.” – Ding Liren reacted in an interview with The Straits Times on the other Grandmasters’ comments about his current form.
Ding also says that he is not at his lowest anymore and will try his best in the World Chess Championship Match in Singapore.
"I feel okay, neither good nor bad. Iโm not at my lowest and have walked out of the darkness from the last 1ยฝ yearsโฆ Iโve moved past that now and I feel like I have been playing decent chess but have not been winning."Ding praised his 18-years old opponent Gukesh: “My competitor is young but also very strong. This test will be extremely difficult as Gukesh is in the form of his life and his Fide rating is getting closer to the 2,800 mark, while my rating has been on the decline and thereโs quite a gap between him and I. Looking at his games, Gukesh likes to apply pressure on his opponents and, despite his young age, he plays like a seasoned pro.”
Ding added that it feels good when the pressure is off, “I like the fact that the media are saying this and the feeling of being the underdog. Iโll then surprise them.”
- Wang Hao on Ding Lirenโs Chances to Retain the World Chess Championship Title
- Nihal about Gukesh’s chances to win the World Chess Championship
- Sethuraman Predicts Gukeshโs Victory in World Chess Championship