蜜芽传媒

After a gutsy playoff win, China's Ding Liren has become the new men's world chess champion.

He succeeds Norway's Magnus Carlsen, the five-time champion who said he was "not motivated" to defend his title. For the first time in history, Chinese chess players hold both the women's and men's chess champion titles.

鈥淭his match reflects the deepness of my soul,鈥� an emotional Ding said after winning. 鈥淚 could not control my mood. I will cry. I will burst into tears."

What do we know about the player - and why was the game so exciting? Levy Rozman, also known as Twitch streamer and YouTuber GothamChess, explains the significance.

(Photo: Grandmaster Ding Liren of China plays against grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia. Credit: Getty Images)