Ding Liren’s Game 12 against D Gukesh of the World Championship might be the best he’s played in the last two years, claimed the high-profile Super GMs. (FIDE via Eng Chin An)
Artist Marti Rubio has signature Ding Liren coffee mugs priced at USD 16.66, with moves from his 2017 faceoff against GM Bai Jinshi printed under ‘Liren Immortal Game’. The creative designer who picks interesting chess games to run along the ceramic walls of classic coffee mugs, had reckoned that Ding had peaked with his brilliant back and forth with his compatriot in 2017.
But Ding’s Game 12 against GM D Gukesh of the World Championship might be the best he’s played in the last two years, claimed the high-profile Super GMs of the sport.
His fix to rebound from the loss of Game 11 on Sunday night? A crisp cup of espresso. “Today I took a cup of coffee before the game which helped me feel much more energetic….a small cup of espresso,” Ding would tell the media after his win on Monday.
Speaking to FM Mike Klein, Ding expanded on what had fired him up, “Normally I don’t drink coffee. Yesterday (Sunday) I hadn’t drunk coffee before the game. So today I once again drink some coffee.”
Ding Liren’s immortal game coffee mugs as seen on Redbubble, under Spanish artist Marti Rubio.
The Chinese has overcome four deficits in two World Championships, Klein said, and he asked Ding who had encouraged him after the earlier loss. “I forgot first person I met after loss. But many people told me (to stay positive). Also leader Xu Yuhua. She also told me. And many others from the internet encouraged me,” he said. Xu Yuhua is the Chinese Chess Association vice president and former player, accompanying Ding.
Asked if he read internet comments, Ding said, “Yes. Lot of which is fun.”
He might be surfing the net happily, but he doesn’t always blindly take advice. When Klein asked Ding if he was told to hurry up his moves, the Chinese remained unflappable. “No. Normally people suggest me to spend less time, and put pressure of time for him (Gukesh). But I just need to spend time on every situation to figure out what’s going on,” he simply said with clarity. Pressing him with a ticking clock might not be the best go-to, though he has blundered when pitted against the watch.
Asked who held the momentum, Ding again gave an example of his equilibrium. “I think we are doing equally good. Because yesterday I missed the chance and he won the game. And today I won. I really floored his play,” he said.
Will he reach for another espresso shot? Only Ding knows. But answer to both his coffee preference and chess pieces on Wednesday is the same. “Black.”
