CHECKMATE

Ding Liren, the new world chess champion, likes to listen to the rain and read philosophy. He speaks so softly in interviews that one must strain to hear every word.

Nevertheless, at the chessboard, it is said he is called “the Silent Storm.”

The 30-year-old grandmaster revealed more about himself and his emotions after he won the championship April 30 by beating Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia after 14 classical games and a four-game rapid playoff. Following the last game, he told interviewers, he went into a private room offstage in Astana, Kazakhstan, and wept.

Meantime, Magnus Carlsen of Norway, who abdicated his crown but remains No. 1 in ranking, and Garry Kasparov of Russia, who was champion for 15 years, tweeted their congratulations.

“Welcome to our very, very small club!” Kasparov wrote. “The chess was uneven but very hard-fought, a logical outcome in a new era of primus inter pares [first among equals] in the title hunt that may last a while, depending on the motivation of the 800lb Norwegian not in the room.”

Ding is 17th world champion, the opposite of the brash and abrasive American, Bobby Fischer (No. 11), and more akin to the gentlemanly Viswanathan Anand of India (No. 15).

“I consider myself an academic, a scholar who really likes to study,” Ding said.

If he had lost the match, Ding admitted that he considered quitting chess. Instead, he said softly he is ready for all challengers, including Carlsen, if he wants to regain the title.