“Ding Liren dead 2026” : Chess grandmaster killed by internet death hoax

News of chess grandmaster Ding Liren’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the March 2026 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the 33-year-old chess grandmaster is alive and well.

UPDATE 24/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Ding Liren death hoax spreads on Facebook

Rumors of the chess grandmaster’s alleged demise gained traction on Sunday after a ‘R.I.P. Ding Liren’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the Chinese chess grandmaster’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Sunday (March 22, 2026), our beloved chess grandmaster Ding Liren passed away. Ding Liren was born on October 24, 1992 in Wenzhou. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”

Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 33-year-old chess grandmaster was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax.

Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major Chinese network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of a chess grandmaster of Ding Liren's stature would be major news across networks.

A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that a large majority (86%) of respondents think those Ding Liren death rumors are not funny anymore.

Ding Liren Death Hoax Dismissed Since Chess grandmaster Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Monday (March 23) the chess grandmaster's reps officially confirmed that Ding Liren is not dead. “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet,” they said.

Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved chess grandmaster. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.

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