China’s world champion, Ding Liren, has become the forgotten man of chess due to his long absence from the board since he won the classical crown Magnus Carlsen abdicated last year. The No 1 has cited a lack of motivation to spend months preparing for title matches.
Ding gained many admirers due to his final tie-break victory over Ian Nepomniachtchi with its dramatic decider 46…Rg6! but his fans have drifted away in the course of his eight months inaction with to an unspecified illness.
