Ding might be the weakest world champion ever: https://amp.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jun/14/chess-carlsen-and-nakamura-dominate-in-stavanger-while-ding-falters-again

Ding just got 10 losses and 3 draws at the Freestyle Chess GOAT Challenge 2024: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chess.pl?tid=125694

Ding's last rated over the board game was over 6 months ago at the time of this comment: https://ratings.fide.com/profile/8603677/calculations

Ding has stated in interviews that he was considering retiring from professional chess prior to stumbling into the 2022 Candidates Tournament. I expect his lack of interest in professional chess to be reflected in his performance.

@GregoryG It also makes him very hard to prepare against, but I agree if a strong player like Caruana, Nakamura, or Firouzja wins the candidates, they’d be a moderate favorite.

https://www.chess.com/news/view/world-champion-ding-returns-as-2024-tata-steel-chess-field-is-confirmed

Why is this so low? Is there a good chance he won't defend?

The only player that I think Ding would not be a favorite against is Caruana (and he'd need to win the Candidates)

@LuisPedroCoelho Ding basically didn't play chess since then. And he's too emotionally unstable. I think Ian, Hikaru, and Fabiano are all favorites against Ding

What if Ding doesn't defend?