The Never King

How did 丁立人 (Dīng Lìrén) take the news that he might play the World Chess Championship match with Ian Alexandrovich Nepomniachtchi? Indeed, his opportunity almost exclusively depends upon the re-election of Arkady Vladimirovich Dvorkovich as FIDE President, which is not granted at all. For if not — that is, if Andrey Vadimovich Baryshpolets and Peter Heine Nielsen will take FIDE under their control — Carlsen will very likely change his mind, eventually returning to the fold, like the prodigal son. In the meanwhile all that 丁立人 (Dīng Lìrén) can do is wait, and hope for Dvorkovich’s re-election. Quite curiously, he is still in Spain and is expected to return to China in early August. Speaking with the 新华社 (Xīnhuá News Agency) correspondents, 丁立人 (Dīng Lìrén) said he first learned of Carlsen’s renunciation from the Internet: “Carlsen prefers to enjoy the leisure of chess rather than suffer the burden of being World Champion”. 丁立人 (Dīng Lìrén) also said that, in the second half of the year, he will play a series of tournaments in China just for training’s sake, without thinking too much about results. “I’m gonna take some risks and experiment new openings”. Nothing must be left to chance. “This may be the only opportunity in my life, and I will make the best of it”.