Checkmate: Russian and Chinese Celebrities Gear Up for Intense Showdown in Kazakhstan
Magnus Carlsen has decided not to defend his title, paving the way for China’s Ding Liren to compete against Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi in Astana for the prestigious chess championship. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Magnus Carlsen has announced that he will not defend his title, setting the stage for a matchup between China's Ding Liren and Russia's Ian Nepomniachtchi in Astana for the world champion title in chess.
While Russia and China have captured headlines recently due to their growing ties, the focus will shift for three weeks in April to the intense contest between two top players from these countries competing for the pinnacle of professional chess.
The decision by five-time reigning champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway not to participate has inevitably dampened some excitement for this year’s match. Carlsen secured his last title with a decisive victory over Nepomniachtchi in Dubai two years ago.
RT provides a preview of the upcoming duel and an insight into the elite realm of chess.
**The Match Details**
The next chess world champion will emerge from a 14-game match featuring classical time controls at the St. Regis Astana Hotel in Astana, Kazakhstan. The event kicks off on April 7, with the first game scheduled for April 9.
Should the competitors end up tied after the classical games, a series of tiebreaks with shorter time controls will determine the champion—a scenario that has happened before, notably in the 2018 World Championship between Carlsen and American challenger Fabiano Caruana, which ended in tiebreaks after all 12 classical games resulted in draws.
The contenders include 32-year-old Ian Nepomniachtchi, representing Russia under the world chess federation, and 30-year-old Ding Liren from China. Nepomniachtchi is making his second consecutive appearance in the championship match, after facing Carlsen in Dubai in 2021. He earned his place in this year’s event by winning the Candidates Tournament, a rigorous double round-robin competition featuring eight of the best players globally.
Ding secured his opportunity to challenge Nepomniachtchi in Astana by finishing second in the Candidates Tournament, following Carlsen's announcement that he would not defend his title.
Nepomniachtchi and Ding hold the second and third spots in the world FIDE rankings, respectively. Their head-to-head record shows Nepomniachtchi with three victories, Ding with two, and eight draws.
The classical games will follow a time control of 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, 60 minutes for the next 20 moves, and 15 minutes for the rest, with a 30-second increment from move 61. The total prize fund of €2 million will be divided 60% for the winner and 40% for the runner-up.
**Carlsen's Absence**
On July 20, 2022, Magnus Carlsen revealed on his podcast his decision not to defend his title after the Candidates Tournament concluded. “I am not motivated to play another match. I simply feel that I don’t have a lot to gain, I don’t particularly like it, and although I’m sure a match would be interesting for historical reasons and all of that, I don’t have any inclination to play and I will simply not play the match,” the reigning champion stated.
Carlsen’s announcement sent shockwaves through the chess community, but it was not entirely surprising. He had previously voiced dissatisfaction with the championship format and hinted that he might opt out. Most commentators agree that his withdrawal somewhat diminishes the luster of a match that has been held 48 times in various formats since its inception in 1886, with the world’s top player participating in nearly all of them.
Carlsen first claimed the world title in 2013 by defeating India’s Viswanathan Anand and successfully defended it in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2021.
**The Competitors**
Ian Nepomniachtchi hails from Bryansk, Russia, and began playing chess at four years old, thanks to his grandfather. His natural talent became evident early on as he rose swiftly through the juniors, winning the Under 10 European Championship in 2000 and several other youth titles. Despite being a professional-level Dota 2 player and opting not to focus solely on chess for years, Nepomniachtchi eventually refined his work ethic, which significantly improved his consistency and led him to position himself among the elite players vying for the world title.
Ding Liren comes from Wenzhou, China, and has accumulated numerous accolades throughout his career. Although his private nature and low profile have kept him somewhat under the radar, he made a significant impact by winning the Chinese Chess Championship in 2009 as an undefeated 16-year-old, notably defeating strong grandmasters Wang Hao and Ni Hua. His steady rise culminated in 2015 when he entered the world top ten, becoming only the second Chinese player to achieve this. He set a record in 2017-18 for going 100 straight games without a loss.
During the pandemic, Ding faced setbacks due to lockdowns in his hometown, jeopardizing his chance to qualify for the 2022 Candidates Tournament. He had played only four rated FIDE games as the deadline approached, but the Chinese Chess Federation quickly organized events for him to play, resulting in 13 victories, 15 draws, and no defeats over a grueling month.
In the Candidates Tournament, Ding placed second, trailing only Nepomniachtchi. Following Carlsen's decision not to defend his title, Ding ascended to challenge for the chess crown.
**Chess as a Sport**
High-level professional chess significantly differs from the casual café game played for centuries. It exerts a considerable physical toll on top competitors. Carlsen himself noted the mental and physical demands of preparing for and participating in a world championship match as a factor in his decision not to compete.
The preparation for a championship match is extensive, and the matches themselves can be exceedingly draining. Chess is indeed a sport; a study tracked the heart rates of players during tournaments, revealing that Russian grandmaster Mikhail Antipov burned 560 calories in just two hours of gameplay—comparable to what a professional tennis player would expend in an hour.
In a historic 2021 match between Carlsen and Nepomniachtchi, game six lasted a staggering seven hours and 45 minutes and concluded after Nepomniachtchi resigned on his 136th move.
Stanford researcher Robert Sapolsky noted that “grandmasters sustain elevated blood pressure for hours in the range found in competitive marathon runners.” Some players lose substantial weight during tournaments, sometimes as much as 4-5 kg over ten days. Anatoly Karpov, a former world champion, reportedly lost about 10 kg during his infamous five-month match against Garry Kasparov in 1984, which was called off due to the physical toll on the players.
**The Role of Technology in Chess**
Since the moment Deep Blue defeated Garry Kasparov in 1996, computers have increasingly influenced chess. Today’s top chess programs, or engines, can outperform even the best human players. Elite competitors utilize computer analyses to build vast databases of openings and responses, enhancing their preparations.
The possibilities in chess are astronomically vast, surpassing the estimated number of atoms in the universe, making powerful computers far more effective at navigating potential moves. While even amateur players now have access to these tools, professionals employ advanced AI-powered engines and supercomputers.
Nepomniachtchi, recognized for harnessing this technology, collaborated with researchers at Moscow's Skolkovo Institute to adapt existing chess engines for his use during the 2020-21 Candidates Tournament. The Zhores supercomputer was made available for him, allowing rapid assessments of millions of chess positions.
After winning the 2021 Candidates Tournament, Nepomniachtchi credited this advanced technology for enhancing his preparation in the opening stages of matches, stating, “It can’t harm my chances.”
This technological edge, while available to elite players, can provide a competitive advantage, enabling the creation of unexpected opening strategies that can be pivotal given the narrow margins in high-level games. “You’re more sure that your analysis is good when you see 500 million node positions than, say 100 million,” he explained.
**Predictions for the Match**
Chess experts generally view Nepomniachtchi and Ding as closely matched players. Financial Times chess writer Leonard Barden characterized Nepomniachtchi’s recent form as “slightly more convincing,” predicting a win for the Russian. Former world champion Garry Kasparov deemed both players “very good” and found it a “very, very close call,” ultimately giving Nepomniachtchi a slight edge while acknowledging Ding’s stability. Betting odds from Forbes reflect a balanced outlook, indicating a 50-50 chance for either competitor.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
While Russia and China have captured headlines recently due to their growing ties, the focus will shift for three weeks in April to the intense contest between two top players from these countries competing for the pinnacle of professional chess.
The decision by five-time reigning champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway not to participate has inevitably dampened some excitement for this year’s match. Carlsen secured his last title with a decisive victory over Nepomniachtchi in Dubai two years ago.
RT provides a preview of the upcoming duel and an insight into the elite realm of chess.
**The Match Details**
The next chess world champion will emerge from a 14-game match featuring classical time controls at the St. Regis Astana Hotel in Astana, Kazakhstan. The event kicks off on April 7, with the first game scheduled for April 9.
Should the competitors end up tied after the classical games, a series of tiebreaks with shorter time controls will determine the champion—a scenario that has happened before, notably in the 2018 World Championship between Carlsen and American challenger Fabiano Caruana, which ended in tiebreaks after all 12 classical games resulted in draws.
The contenders include 32-year-old Ian Nepomniachtchi, representing Russia under the world chess federation, and 30-year-old Ding Liren from China. Nepomniachtchi is making his second consecutive appearance in the championship match, after facing Carlsen in Dubai in 2021. He earned his place in this year’s event by winning the Candidates Tournament, a rigorous double round-robin competition featuring eight of the best players globally.
Ding secured his opportunity to challenge Nepomniachtchi in Astana by finishing second in the Candidates Tournament, following Carlsen's announcement that he would not defend his title.
Nepomniachtchi and Ding hold the second and third spots in the world FIDE rankings, respectively. Their head-to-head record shows Nepomniachtchi with three victories, Ding with two, and eight draws.
The classical games will follow a time control of 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, 60 minutes for the next 20 moves, and 15 minutes for the rest, with a 30-second increment from move 61. The total prize fund of €2 million will be divided 60% for the winner and 40% for the runner-up.
**Carlsen's Absence**
On July 20, 2022, Magnus Carlsen revealed on his podcast his decision not to defend his title after the Candidates Tournament concluded. “I am not motivated to play another match. I simply feel that I don’t have a lot to gain, I don’t particularly like it, and although I’m sure a match would be interesting for historical reasons and all of that, I don’t have any inclination to play and I will simply not play the match,” the reigning champion stated.
Carlsen’s announcement sent shockwaves through the chess community, but it was not entirely surprising. He had previously voiced dissatisfaction with the championship format and hinted that he might opt out. Most commentators agree that his withdrawal somewhat diminishes the luster of a match that has been held 48 times in various formats since its inception in 1886, with the world’s top player participating in nearly all of them.
Carlsen first claimed the world title in 2013 by defeating India’s Viswanathan Anand and successfully defended it in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2021.
**The Competitors**
Ian Nepomniachtchi hails from Bryansk, Russia, and began playing chess at four years old, thanks to his grandfather. His natural talent became evident early on as he rose swiftly through the juniors, winning the Under 10 European Championship in 2000 and several other youth titles. Despite being a professional-level Dota 2 player and opting not to focus solely on chess for years, Nepomniachtchi eventually refined his work ethic, which significantly improved his consistency and led him to position himself among the elite players vying for the world title.
Ding Liren comes from Wenzhou, China, and has accumulated numerous accolades throughout his career. Although his private nature and low profile have kept him somewhat under the radar, he made a significant impact by winning the Chinese Chess Championship in 2009 as an undefeated 16-year-old, notably defeating strong grandmasters Wang Hao and Ni Hua. His steady rise culminated in 2015 when he entered the world top ten, becoming only the second Chinese player to achieve this. He set a record in 2017-18 for going 100 straight games without a loss.
During the pandemic, Ding faced setbacks due to lockdowns in his hometown, jeopardizing his chance to qualify for the 2022 Candidates Tournament. He had played only four rated FIDE games as the deadline approached, but the Chinese Chess Federation quickly organized events for him to play, resulting in 13 victories, 15 draws, and no defeats over a grueling month.
In the Candidates Tournament, Ding placed second, trailing only Nepomniachtchi. Following Carlsen's decision not to defend his title, Ding ascended to challenge for the chess crown.
**Chess as a Sport**
High-level professional chess significantly differs from the casual café game played for centuries. It exerts a considerable physical toll on top competitors. Carlsen himself noted the mental and physical demands of preparing for and participating in a world championship match as a factor in his decision not to compete.
The preparation for a championship match is extensive, and the matches themselves can be exceedingly draining. Chess is indeed a sport; a study tracked the heart rates of players during tournaments, revealing that Russian grandmaster Mikhail Antipov burned 560 calories in just two hours of gameplay—comparable to what a professional tennis player would expend in an hour.
In a historic 2021 match between Carlsen and Nepomniachtchi, game six lasted a staggering seven hours and 45 minutes and concluded after Nepomniachtchi resigned on his 136th move.
Stanford researcher Robert Sapolsky noted that “grandmasters sustain elevated blood pressure for hours in the range found in competitive marathon runners.” Some players lose substantial weight during tournaments, sometimes as much as 4-5 kg over ten days. Anatoly Karpov, a former world champion, reportedly lost about 10 kg during his infamous five-month match against Garry Kasparov in 1984, which was called off due to the physical toll on the players.
**The Role of Technology in Chess**
Since the moment Deep Blue defeated Garry Kasparov in 1996, computers have increasingly influenced chess. Today’s top chess programs, or engines, can outperform even the best human players. Elite competitors utilize computer analyses to build vast databases of openings and responses, enhancing their preparations.
The possibilities in chess are astronomically vast, surpassing the estimated number of atoms in the universe, making powerful computers far more effective at navigating potential moves. While even amateur players now have access to these tools, professionals employ advanced AI-powered engines and supercomputers.
Nepomniachtchi, recognized for harnessing this technology, collaborated with researchers at Moscow's Skolkovo Institute to adapt existing chess engines for his use during the 2020-21 Candidates Tournament. The Zhores supercomputer was made available for him, allowing rapid assessments of millions of chess positions.
After winning the 2021 Candidates Tournament, Nepomniachtchi credited this advanced technology for enhancing his preparation in the opening stages of matches, stating, “It can’t harm my chances.”
This technological edge, while available to elite players, can provide a competitive advantage, enabling the creation of unexpected opening strategies that can be pivotal given the narrow margins in high-level games. “You’re more sure that your analysis is good when you see 500 million node positions than, say 100 million,” he explained.
**Predictions for the Match**
Chess experts generally view Nepomniachtchi and Ding as closely matched players. Financial Times chess writer Leonard Barden characterized Nepomniachtchi’s recent form as “slightly more convincing,” predicting a win for the Russian. Former world champion Garry Kasparov deemed both players “very good” and found it a “very, very close call,” ultimately giving Nepomniachtchi a slight edge while acknowledging Ding’s stability. Betting odds from Forbes reflect a balanced outlook, indicating a 50-50 chance for either competitor.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
