Guoan, the Chinese chess grandmaster who won the world championship in 2019, has announced his retirement from the game.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Guoan said that he had decided to retire from competitive chess after winning the world championship in 2019. He will continue to be involved in teaching and organizing tournaments for younger players, but plans to focus more on improving his own skills and techniques.
The decision was made following a series of setbacks in recent years, including injuries and poor performance in international tournaments. However, Guoan remains committed to continuing to play chess and is confident that his skills and experience can help future generations excel at the sport.
While it's unclear exactly when or how Guoan will announce his retirement, it's likely that this move will come as a shock to many people in the chess community. It's also worth noting that while Guoan is still very much alive and well, he may not be able to compete in any tournaments until he retires.
Regardless of whether or not Guoan will officially announce his retirement, it's clear that he's taken a significant step towards achieving his goal of becoming one of the greatest chess masters ever. His legacy as one of the most influential figures in the history of the game will live on for many years to come.