Born October 24, 1992 · Ding Liren
Ding Liren became the first Chinese World Chess Champion in 2023, capping a rise that included a 100-game unbeaten streak from 2017–2018 — one of the longest in modern top-level chess. His title reign was defined by a hard-fought World Championship match against Gukesh Dommaraju, decided in the final game of the match.
Won a tense tiebreak match against Ian Nepomniachtchi in 2023 to become China's first World Chess Champion, then lost the title to Gukesh Dommaraju in December 2024.
Ding plays a solid, deeply calculated style built around resilient defense and precise endgame technique, capable of holding difficult positions for long stretches before finding decisive resources.
vs. Ian Nepomniachtchi — World Chess Championship, Astana, 2023
Ding won the rapid tiebreak 2½–1½ after the classical portion of the match finished level 7–7, becoming China's first World Champion.