Hikaru Nakamura Defeats World Chess Champion Ding Liren at Norway Chess Tournament

In a dramatic Round 5 encounter at the Norway Chess tournament held in Stavanger, Hikaru Nakamura of the United States defeated World Chess Champion Ding Liren of China in 54 moves. This victory not only bolstered Nakamura's standing in the tournament but also raised concerns about Ding's current form and well-being.

Ding Liren has been struggling throughout the tournament, suffering his third consecutive loss in the classical format. Prior to his defeat by Nakamura, Ding had lost to Alireza Firouzja and Fabiano Caruana. His only positive result came against Praggnanandhaa in an Armageddon game following a draw in the classical format.

Nakamura expressed concern for Ding's well-being and performance, noting unusual behavior during their match. 'I don't know what's going through Ding's head. It's a very, very strange situation to be in,' Nakamura said. 'He just doesn't look right. Hopefully, he will be fine. Hopefully, he'll be competitive.'

Nakamura further elaborated on Ding's condition, stating, 'Ding definitely doesn't seem like the same person. Not sure if it was visible on the video but at some point I was struggling to keep my composure because at some moment he started bouncing up and down, he was shaking, like literally shaking.'

This defeat leaves Ding with only 2.5 points in the tournament, a marked contrast to Nakamura's leading 10 points. The American grandmaster's win has also boosted his live rating to 2802.8, making him the second-highest rated player in the world.

Ding's current form is particularly concerning given his upcoming match against Gukesh in the World Championship. Nakamura voiced his worries, saying, 'It's very hard in a way when your opponent—it seems as though something's wrong—it's very hard to not feel bad for them!'

In the next round of the Norway Chess tournament, Ding is set to face Magnus Carlsen, who has recently secured wins against Firouzja and Caruana. This match will be a significant test for Ding, who needs to regain his form quickly.

The Norway Chess tournament continues to be a platform for dramatic encounters and surprising upsets. With several rounds still to come, all eyes will be on how the players, especially Ding Liren, overcome the challenges ahead.

Key Takeaways

• Hikaru Nakamura defeats World Chess Champion Ding Liren in 54 moves at Norway Chess.
• Ding Liren suffers third consecutive loss, raising concerns about his form and well-being.
• Nakamura expresses concern for Ding's behavior, noting unusual movements during their match.
• Ding Liren has 2.5 points, while Nakamura leads with 10 points and a live rating of 2802.8.
• Ding faces Magnus Carlsen next, a crucial test to regain his form before the World Championship.