China’s Ding Liren had to overcome his own anxiety as well as his Russian opponent (对手) to become the country’s first men’s world chess champion in a final on Sunday.

Ding, 30, defeated Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia 2.5-1.5 in a tiebreaker (决胜局) at the 2023 International Chess Federation World Championship in Astana, Kazakhstan. The classical part of the match ended in a 7-7 tie on Saturday. Ding fell behind on three occasions, but managed to equal his opponent each time. After a final round that lasted six hours and 33 minutes, the two met on Sunday in a playoff.

“I think I’ve done everything that I can in chess and I have put all that I have into the games. Now, I won’t be happy if there are no matches. And it’s hard for me to find another hobby.” Ding’s triumph means China holds both the men’s and women’s world titles, with current women’s champion Ju Wenjun set to defend her title against Lei Tingjie in July.

Ding’s title is a dream coming true not only for him, but for generations of Chinese chess players past and present. His world title victory became popular on Chinese social media. Most people expressed their excitement about the win and congratulated Ding.

Among his greatest supporters is Xie Jun, a Chinese chess giant who won the nation’s first women’s world title in 1991. “It means Chinese men’s chess has reached the world’s top level. We have been waiting for this moment for too long. With a role model like Ding, I believe more youngsters will take part in chess. And the game will earn more attention and support from different sectors in society and the government.”

1.Which can be the best title for the passage?

A Ding Liren: things you need to know about China’s world chess champ.

B The international experiences of China’s top chess player.

C Ding Liren wins China’s first men’s world chess title.

D Ding Liren is popular online these days because of his success in chess.

解析：选C。C主旨大意题。本文主要报道了丁立人加冕国际象棋“世界棋王”的相关情况。故选C。

2.What does the underlined word “triumph” mean?

A Tension.

B Victory.

C Permission.

D Property.

解析：选B。B 词义猜测题。根据前面提到的丁立人经过快棋加赛，战胜俄罗斯棋手涅波姆尼亚奇，勇夺国际象棋男子个人世界冠军以及后面的“China holds both the men’s and women’s world titles”可知，丁立人的胜利“具有历史性意义”：中国同时拥有男女两位世界冠军。故选B。

3.How might Ding feel during the match?

A Anxious.

B Annoyed.

C Disappointed.

D Excited.

解析：选A。A推理判断题。根据第一段提到的“China’s Ding Liren had to overcome his own anxiety”以及后面提到的在此前进行的14局慢棋对弈中，两人战成7:7平，因此这场比赛很激烈，丁立人感到很焦虑。故选A。

4.What does Xie Jun think of the future development of chess?

A Uncertain.

B Threatening.

C Tough.

D Hopeful.

解析：选D。D推理判断题。根据最后一段的“I believe more youngsters will take part in chess. And the game will earn more attention and support from different sectors in society and the government”可知，谢军认为有了丁立人这样的榜样，会有更多的年轻人参与国际象棋，国际象棋将赢得社会各界和政府的更多关注和支持。因此，谢军认为中国国际象棋的未来发展充满希望。故选D。