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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Sean Ingle

Sleeping pills, thrills and a new king: the inside story of the World Chess Championship

Ding Liren Ian Nepomniachtchi China Magnus Carlsen
Ding Liren, China’s first chess world champion, is presented with his trophy by the FIDE president, Arkady Dvorkovich
Ding Liren, China’s first chess world champion, is presented with his trophy by the FIDE president, Arkady Dvorkovich. Photograph: Vladislav Vodnev/Reuters

The king is dead. Long live the Ding.

Chess has a new world champion, Ding Liren from China. And the day after his thrilling victory against the Russian player Ian Nepomniachtchi, he is sitting talking to the Guardian, energy spent after a 24-day, 18-game marathon soaked in tension and wild momentum swings. It turns out Ding has a nickname, Silent Storm, and it is as well judged as his final moves in the match. “Well, I am quiet,” he says, his voice rising barely above a whisper. “But then over the board …”

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