Chess player Ding Liren has opened up about his struggles with depression and sleep deprivation, which he attributes to the demands of chess travel and jet lag. Despite his mental health challenges, Ding has achieved remarkable success in chess, including winning a World Chess Championship and reaching peak ratings while battling physical and mental hurdles. Fellow chess players, such as Anna Muzychuk, have expressed support for Ding and hope for his return to form.
Considering Ding Liren's recent state of play and self-confessed mental challenges, it would be immensely cruel to throw him into an Indian metropolis for the pressure cooker that a world championship title match represents. https://t.co/2E67rhff1J
Again: Ding reached his peak rating while recovering from a broken hip. Then he won the world chess championship while battling an incipient depression. On a bad day, Ding is superhuman. You won't change my mind. https://t.co/7zdJdwfnXs
Anna Muzychuk: "And last but not least, I'd like to support Ding, because we chess players from time to time all go through difficult periods... I wish he comes back to his best chess!" https://t.co/2vtpRnX4io
Now that the word "depression" has been explicitly mentioned by Ding himself, I will say something I have wanted to say publicly for some time: Most people suffering from depression struggle even to get out of bed. This guy won a World Chess Championship under such conditions. https://t.co/BHmWXi6x9s
Oh no this is terrible to hear. Brave of Ding Liren to speak so openly. Reading about the link between his depression and sleep deprivation, the travel and jet lag of chess must be very difficult. Hope he gets all the help he needs. ❤️ https://t.co/PeLiyH8vIh