Ding Liren: I won the battle against anxiety
Chinese chess player Ding Liren told Xinhua News Agency after becoming the world chess king on the 30th that in the chess world championship, he won a battle against anxiety with the help of friends, family and team.
Ding Liren revealed that when the match was almost over that day and his opponent Nepomniacki was about to admit defeat, he was a little excited and unable to help himself. After returning to the lounge, he cried for a long time, both because of his own efforts and because of the difficult process of this competition.
On April 30, Ding Liren was interviewed after the game. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Ospanov)
"I'm a little anxious and cranky. My friend summed it up as the pressures of the tournament, like when Argentina won the World Cup (football) and has been helping me overcome these pressures. Ding Liren said.
Chess fans who have been following the progress of the game will notice that during the first two rounds of slow chess, Ding Liren chose to stay in the lounge instead of sitting at the board. Ding Liren told reporters that the reason why he stayed in the lounge for a long time at that time was because he could not concentrate on thinking in front of the chessboard, and his state was relatively poor. Later, through the remote psychological counseling of friends, he was better in the state.
Ding Liren, who participated in the World Chess Championship for the first time, admits that he is both eager and afraid of the championship, thinking about what will happen if he loses, and does not "focus on rushing up" as before. A friend comforted him that this was not actually a contradiction, it was normal. Ding Liren said that he has been fighting with himself in this competition and has been trying to overcome his anxiety.
Ding Liren (left) in a match with Nepomnyaki on April 30. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Ospanov)
In the eighth round of slow chess, the white-minded Ding Liren was in a good situation. Due to Niepo's mistake, Ding Liren had a chance to win. However, when he realized this, he thought about the evaluation of others, slackened a little, and did not win. After that game, he chatted with his mother and regained faith in victory.
According to Ding Liren's observation, Niepo was also under a lot of pressure in this match, and he was more obvious than him when he was present.
Ding Liren said that although the competition was very difficult, he found the joy of playing chess again with the help of his friends. "It's a credit to Laporte [Dingli's assistant], who was very creative and some of my attempts in the first few sets gave the fans a treat. ”
On April 30, Ding Liren competed. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Ospanov)
In October 2019, after winning the runner-up in the World Cup, Ding Liren once said that "the meaning of life lies in those bright moments". This time, he finally made history and became China's first chess world chess king, but his thinking has changed.
Those words reflected my state of mind at the time. In recent years, my understanding of chess has changed somewhat, my perspective has been somewhat different, and I am more able to accept a dull life. Ding Liren said.
How do you celebrate after winning the championship?
Ding Liren said that he would take a walk as usual and have a good meal with everyone.
Source: Xinhua News Agency
Reporter: Wang Jingyu, Zheng Zhi
Executive Producer: Kang Lilin
Editors: Lee Yong-suk, Qing Shan
Internship: Yang Ning
Congratulate!