The Chinese chess team arrives at the International Exchange Center of the Hangzhou Branch of China Qiyuan (Chess Club) in Hangzhou on March 25. [Photo/hangzhou2022.cn]

The Chinese chess team arrived at the International Exchange Center of the Hangzhou Branch of China Qiyuan (Chess Club) in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province on March 25.

The team will prepare for a series of competitions at home and abroad, including the 2022 Asian Games, which have been postponed as a result of the pandemic until Sept 23 this year.

There was also a ceremony held for China's top seed player Ding Liren, who will compete with Russian super grand master Ian Nepomniachtchi in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, in early April.

It will be the first time for a Chinese player to have a crack at the men's individual world champion. He will create history in Chinese chess regardless of the result.

Though he has been among the candidates three times, Ding said he has had a different experience this time, since he prepared mostly by himself, and this year he has a strong team to support him.

According to Xu Xiangyu, the team leader, the new training center offers all kinds of support and services to the team, ranging from accommodation to transportation.

At present, about 15 team members are at the center, and that number will reach 30 at most.

Ding Liren. [Photo/hangzhou2022.cn]