​China’s First World Chess Champion Ding Liren Visits Shenzhen MSU-BIT University — Sharing the Art of “Gymnastics of the Mind” with Students

On September 29, just one day after the conclusion of the 15th National Games Chess Tournament, Ding Liren, China’s first male World Chess Champion, visited Shenzhen MSU-BIT University (SMBU) to attend a special event themed “At the Summit of Chess — A Gathering of Minds on Campus.” Ye Jiangchuan and Liu Shilan, specially appointed chess experts and coaches from the Shenzhen Mass Sports Promotion Center, were invited to attend the event. Li Hezhang, President and Deputy Party Secretary of Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, and Sergey Ivanchenko, First Vice President, were also present at the event.

As the lights dimmed and the short film “Meet the Chess King” began to play, the hall fell into a hush. The images of Ding Liren deep in concentration transported the audience back to that historic and emotional moment when the long-cherished dream of generations of Chinese chess players was finally realized — on April 30, 2023, Ding Liren defeated Russian grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi, becoming the 17th World Chess Champion in history and China’s first-ever male world champion in chess. His triumph marked the successful completion of the final step in China’s “Four-Step Strategy” for chess development, envisioned three decades ago.

As the short film ended, the room erupted in thunderous applause. The legendary chess champion who had just appeared on screen was now standing before the audience, sharing this special moment with the faculty and students of Shenzhen MSU-BIT University—a new chapter in the university’s own chess story. As a university that integrates chess into its educational identity, Shenzhen MSU-BIT University shares a deep and enduring connection with the world of chess. The university has invited grandmasters Ye Jiangchuan, Liu Shilan, and Zhao Xue to form a world-class coaching and teaching team. In recent years, SMBU’s chess players have achieved remarkable results in national university tournaments, including winning the overall second place at the 2023 National University Chess Championship.

President Li Hezhang delivered a welcome address on behalf of the university. He noted that Ding Liren, as a symbolic figure of intellectual sports in China, brought with his visit not only a recognition of Shenzhen MSU-BIT University’s achievements in campus culture, but also a valuable opportunity for students and faculty to engage in dialogue, learn through chess, and grow together. President Li elaborated on the university’s comprehensive initiatives in chess education, including inviting renowned grandmasters as visiting professors, offering general education courses on chess, and collaborating with the Chinese Chess Association to establish pathways for faculty development. He also highlighted the significant progress the university has made in recent years in this area. In addition, SMBU has actively built platforms for academic and cultural exchange, launching signature events such as the “SMBU Cup”, and hosting the Greater Bay Area University Chess Invitational Tournament and the China-Russia Intercollegiate Chess Match, further integrating intellectual sports with cultural exchange. Together with Moscow State University and Beijing Institute of Technology, SMBU has also co-hosted the “Friendship Cup” Online Tri-University Chess Tournament, pioneering a new model of cross-border exchange in intellectual sports and truly realizing the vision of “using chess as a bridge and competition as a bond of friendship.”

President Li Hezhang emphasized that moving forward, the university will further refine its integrated “Curriculum + Club + Competition” chess education model, advancing the development of chess at a new and higher level within the university.

Sergey Ivanchenko, First Vice President of Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, presented a specially designed university souvenir to Ding Liren, symbolizing the friendship and meaningful connection between the world chess champion and Shenzhen MSU-BIT University.

Before the welcome ceremony, Ding Liren engaged in an exciting simultaneous chess exhibition with 21 students from Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, showcasing his exceptional skill and composure while offering the students a rare and inspiring opportunity to play against a world champion.

During the welcome ceremony, the students who had participated in the simultaneous chess exhibition took the stage in an orderly manner to receive the “Simultaneous Exhibition Commemorative Certificates” personally presented by World Chess Champion Ding Liren. Ding also awarded certificates to 11 students who had successfully earned their qualifications as Certified Junior Chess Coaches, recognizing their dedication and achievements in the field of chess education and training.

As the event drew to a close, Ding Liren took the stage amid prolonged applause from the faculty and students. He shared his deep passion and understanding of chess, expressing his admiration for Shenzhen MSU-BIT University’s vibrant chess culture and remarkable achievements in promoting the game. Ding encouraged the students to keep exploring the 64-square world, to find joy in thinking, and to face every challenge with courage and determination.

Though the joyful moments were brief, the echoes of wisdom will endure. Ding Liren’s visit to Shenzhen MSU-BIT University was far more than a simple campus event—it was a profound source of inspiration. The encounter bridged the distance between a world champion and young students, planting in every participant’s heart the seeds of excellence, courage, and the pursuit of dreams.