When Ding Liren won the crucial final trick-taking game, he didn’t smile. He didn’t make a fist either. He didn’t even look up while the audience clapped and the defeated Jan Nepomnyashchi walked away. The new world chess champion took his head between his hands and remained seated. He waited for the tension to dissipate and for him to be happy about winning the title. But the tension remained and the joy never came.
