It is that time of year again when we start looking for that star out of the East. Right now, we have a whole constellation full of them.
The year 2022 may be remembered when the chess world’s longtime center of gravity in Russia and the West moved decisively to the east.
Consider: Chinese GM Ding Liren has a chance to become the first official world champion from China when he squares off against Russia’s GM Ian Nepomniachtchi this coming spring for the throne vacated by longtime champ Magnus Carlsen of Norway. The next women’s world champ will also be Chinese, as WGM Lei Tingjie defeated Ukrainian star GM Anna Muzychuk for the right to take on reigning Chinese women’s champ GM Ju Wenjun.