“There is something wrong with my Mind,” — Ding Liren in Round 1 of the Championship Match
Yesterday it was Round 1 of the World Chess Championship Match between Ding Liren, and Ian Nepomniachtchi. After a 49-move draw in an inferior position for Ding, the Chinese GM didn’t hesitate to open his heart at the press conference and let everyone understand how difficult it is to play in a such high-pressure event, especially for the first time!
Even with Carlsen’s withdrawal from the Cycle, the World Chess Championship Match remains one of the most anticipated events where two top GMs fight to enter chess history with their own style. On April 9th the first round of the #NepoDing Match started in Astana, Kazakstan, in a room much more spacious than the one in Dubai. “In Dubai it looked better than it was” Nepomniachtchi commented at the press conference.
The ceremonial first move was made by the Minister of Culture and Sports of Kazakhstan, Askhat Oralov, and FIDE President, Arkady Dvorkovich. Nepo chose a sideline of the Ruy Lopez opening, surprising everyone that he didn’t go with the London Defense!
The position might have been inferior for Ding Liren but there was only one chance for Nepo to build up his advantage, just before the first time control at move 40. The Russian GM failed to make the most out of his opportunities with the game to end in an equal endgame and a draw on move 49.
GM Anish Giri commented on Nepo live: “There are 2 Nepos. One plays incredible chess & is one of the best players & can challenge Magnus on equal terms & put a lot of pressure. Then there is the one who collapses once things don’t go his way... but things first have to not go his way for that to happen!”
Ding Liren might have held the position to a draw, but as he revealed at the press conference his mental state is in a bad place. During the game, the Chinese Challenger spent most of his time in the resting lounge, an image that became a Twitter meme and caused some debates whether it should be public or now.
At the press conference Ding bravely revealed: “I feel a bit depressed... during the first parts of the game I didn’t think about chess so much. My mind was very strange, many memories, feelings, I felt a little bit there was something wrong with my mind... maybe the pressure of the match [...] Actually I didn’t prepare anything yesterday because I’m struggling with my feelings, my emotions, and the line you mentioned — I completely forgot it during the game [...] I was feeling cold because of the anxieties”
Another thing the Chinese GM revealed was that his parents are with him in Astana and Rapport is his second! “I like his creative playing style & secondly I can speak English with him & that helps me get familiar with the English-speaking environment. I think there’s something different, I also change my playing style a bit by speaking English” Ding said.
Will Ding manage to overcome this overwhelming emotional state?
