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Lars Hamer

Hong Kong teenager Jamison Kao managed to draw a “super-crazy” chess game with mainland Chinese grandmaster and former world champion Ding Liren at the weekend – but the city’s No 1 still said he was a “bit disappointed”.
Ding was visiting for Sunday’s Harrow Hong Kong Scholastic Open Chess Tournament, which featured more than 100 schools.
And on Saturday, Ding took part in a “simul event”, in which he took on 12 players including Kao simultaneously, while riding a tram through the city.
Kao, 15, is a candidate master, a stepping stone towards higher titles such as international master and grandmaster.
“I never really expected to draw with him before I started,” Kao said. “I thought there would be a decent fight but in the end I would lose.

“As the game progressed from a super-crazy position into the middle game, to a stable advantage for me, I was no longer wondering if I could draw, but rather how I could win.
“I knew I objectively had a much better position, and felt comfortable holding a draw even if I made a mistake.”
Kao said that as the contest progressed into the endgame, he felt he could not find a clear way to win without taking risks, and the duo played out a draw.
“After the game, I was still quite happy as I managed to draw with Ding, who in his prime was a 2,800-plus player. However, I was still a bit disappointed in myself for not seeing the win, which in hindsight was pretty obvious,” he said.
Kao said that during the simul event, Ding established a winning position against the other 11 players early on, but skipped moves when returning to Kao to buy himself more time.
“I also discussed certain positions with Ding and came to a better understanding of the middle game,” said Kao, who represented Hong Kong at the Asian Games in 2023. “Overall, I think it was a wonderful experience to play against such a strong player and learn so many new things.”
Ding two years ago became China’s first winner of the FIDE World Championship, but was unable to defend his crown last December, losing the last game to India’s Gukesh Dommaraju.
The Chinese grandmaster had previously spoken openly about how he struggled with depression and took a nine-month break from the game after his historic 2023 win to focus on getting better.
Ding told the Post that he had been playing less this year while seeking a more normal life. He said that a normal life for him involved going to the market near his home in the coastal city of Hangzhou, and playing badminton and football.
The 32-year-old is a keen football fan and supports Juventus. He has been spotted playing five-a-side games after tournaments in Singapore and said he would find time for a kick-around in Hong Kong.

“First, I want to take the lesson from the [2023] World Championship”, when he became “too stressed”, Ding said.
“I had too many things to worry about, so I didn’t rest well, and I played some tournaments after that, but the results were not so good.
“I received many invitations from the big events [this year], like the Grand Chess Tour, to the Chess World Cup or even matches in Russia,” he said. “But I declined each of them because I just want to live a normal life and not be so busy.”
One invitation proved too good to turn down, though. In February, it was announced that Ding had become the latest big name in chess to sign with an esports team ahead of the Esports World Cup, which will take place in Riyadh in July and August.


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Chinese grandmaster Ding Liren (left) playing against Hong Kong No 1 Jamison Kao and 11 others on a tram. Photo: Hong Kong, China Chess Federation

Ding Liren at the Harrow Hong Kong Scholastic Open Chess Tournament on Sunday. Photo: Sun Yeung

Ding Liren lost his world title in Singapore last year to India’s Gukesh Dommaraju. Photo: AFP

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Cheung Ka-long will not take part in the Challenge Cup at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Arena later this month. Photo: AFP

Promising foilist Daphne Chan is among those taking part in the Challenge Cup. Photo: Elson Li

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Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo (centre) celebrates after scoring the opening goal in the clash with Arsenal on Sunday. Photo: Xinhua

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City’s No 1 Jamison Kao says he could have won the game against the former world champion


City’s No 1 Jamison Kao says he could have won the game against the former world champion.


Hong Kong sports