After the two players tied 7-7 after 14 longer "classical" games, 30-year-old Ding prevailed in the rapid chess playoff by 2.5 points to 1.5 points.

He commented shortly after being named the champion of the FIDE World Championship held in Kazakhstan, "The moment Ian resigned the game was a very emotional moment, I cannot control my feelings."

The two winners will divide the $2 million reward 55-45, with Ding taking home €1.1 million.

The World Chess Championship is open to both men and women, however no Chinese player had ever won it. China currently holds both global championships thanks to Ju Wenjun, who is the current women's chess champion.

Carlsen didn't participate. 

The current champion, Magnus Carlsen, made the decision not to defend his title at this year's competition, which was held in Kazakhstan. Carlsen continues to be the best player in the world despite Ding's victory. In the FIDE rating list, Ding is third, behind Carlsen and Nepomniachtchi.

At the "Candidates" tournament held last year between 16 hopefuls among the world's top players, Ding and Nepomniachtchi won the right to compete for the world chess prize. That contest was clinched by Nepomniachtchi, with Ding coming in second. 

Ding had only recently received an invitation to the Candidates competition.

(Disclaimer: the illustration of Ding Liren used here are just that - illustrations generated by Midjourney text to image tool and are not pictures or actual photos of the person)