Why compare Ding Liren and Ian Nepomniachtchi?

Ding faced Ian Nepomniachtchi in the 2023 World Championship, where he emerged victorious after a tightly contested match that ended in rapid tiebreaks.

Ding Liren

Key numbers

  • FIDE Rating2738 (June 2026)
  • Peak Rating2816 (November 2018)
  • RankingNo. 15 (June 2026)
  • Peak RankingNo. 2 (November 2021)
  • Unbeaten Streak100 games (August 2017 - November 2018)

Top honours

  • World Chess Champion2023–2024
  • Chinese Chess ChampionThree-time champion (2009, 2011, 2012)
  • Chess Olympiad Gold MedalTeam gold in 2014 and 2018
  • World Team ChampionshipsTeam gold in 2015, individual silver
  • Grand Chess TourWinner in 2019
VS

Ian Nepomniachtchi

Key numbers

  • FIDE Rating2733 (June 2026)
  • Peak Rating2795 (March 2023)
  • Current RankingNo. 17 (June 2026)
  • Peak RankingNo. 2 (February 2023)

Top honours

  • World Blitz Chess co-champion2024, alongside Magnus Carlsen
  • Two-time Russian Chess Champion2010 and 2020
  • European Individual Champion2010
  • Tal Memorial winner2016
  • Aeroflot Open winner2008, 2015, 2025, and 2026