Magnus Carlsen’s blunt opinion on Ding Liren: ‘He didn’t even look for chances (to win)’ | Chess News

Former world champion Magnus Carlsen was less than impressed the way Ding Liren, his successor on the world champion’s throne, played in the second game where the Chinese grandmaster was playing with white pieces a day after winning the first game. But rather than trying to double his advantage against the teenage Gukesh who is playing in his first World Chess Championship match, Ding Liren opted for a safe draw in 23 moves.
Magnus Carlsen, who’s in Singapore himself for a different event, said that when he saw the position on the board and the players going for a draw, he was left lamenting why he had rarely had similar positions in World Chess Championship games.
“It’s hard to get better chances than this in a World Chess Championship. Ding Liren is one-nil up. He has a risk-free position. He has an opponent who hasn’t shown him anything positive in the game so far. But Ding decided not to push. That’s not surprising… This is the Ding we have been used to seeing, decent prep, gets a slightly better position but doesn’t try to win. Just happy to make draws. Ding Liren pre-COVID was awesome. But this is a more recent Ding. Gets good positions but doesn’t try to win them,” Magnus Carlsen said on the Take Take Take app before adding: “I would have had to be having a really bad day if I didn’t want to push this position.”

Game 2 of the FIDE World Championship Match 2024 under 90 seconds! ♟️ 🔥#DingGukesh pic.twitter.com/t8oVrVzKoM
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) November 26, 2024
Magnus Carlsen also broke down the key to winning the 14-game match, where he said Ding Liren has an advantage with black pieces, but his ability to play good chess in long games was under question.
“Ding Liren has shown no indication that he’s capable of maintaining a very high level if the game goes into the fifth and sixth hour. Gukesh has shown that is something he does very well. But there’s nothing to suggest that Ding cannot get another win with black. Ding Liren does have the chance to win the match even if he does not create a single chance with white pieces,” said Magnus Carlsen.
The Norwegian added: “Gukesh didn’t show any aggression (in Game 2). He was just trying to survive. He will get more and more nervous and more stressed in each game that he doesn’t create any chances.”