Ding Liren to make a comeback after taking break following World Championship loss to Gukesh

Former FIDE World Champion Ding Liren is set to return to competitive chess at the Chessable Masters, marking his first appearance since losing the world title to D Gukesh in December 2024. The Chinese Grandmaster took a short break following his defeat to Gukesh but is now ready to compete at the highest level once again. Champions Chess Tour 2025 - Chessable Masters is an online Global Chess tournament organised by Chess.com.

Liren signs with esports company

Liren has signed with LGD Gaming, a well-known Chinese esports company, and will represent the Hangzhou Mind Sports Team in the upcoming Chessable Masters, starting from 16 February. With this move, Liren joins a growing list of elite chess players partnering with esports teams ahead of the Esports World Cup.

“We are delighted to announce that chess GM Ding Liren has officially signed with LGD Gaming Club and will be fighting alongside us in the future,” LGD Gaming said.

“It’s funny how, when we were kids, online games were forbidden by parents. Now it’s being encouraged,” Liren told Chess.com after he signed with LGD Gaming.

Liren has also confirmed his participation in the Grand Swiss, set to take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 3 to 16 September, as well as the World Rapid & Blitz Championship, which will be held in Doha, Qatar, from 26 to 31 December. Liren has said that he will focus less on classical chess this year.

Liren is not the only high-profile chess player to join an esports team in the recent past. India’s Arjun Erigaisi has signed with Gen.G Esports, while Fabiano Caruana from the United States will represent Team Liquid. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France has joined Team Vitality and GM Volodar Murzin will play for All Gamers Global.

The Chessable Masters will serve as the first of two qualifying events for the Esports World Cup, slated to be held in July this year. The second qualifier will be held in May, with the top 12 players from both events securing spots in the World Cup. Additionally, four players from the Last Chance Qualifier will also join, making it a 16-player tournament. The Esports World Cup will offer a $1.5 million prize pool for chess.