World No 2 was speaking ahead of team rapid and blitz championships in Hong Kong, featuring rivals Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann
Chinese chess player Lei Tingjie has said that using artificial intelligence (AI) in daily training was important to improve as a player and she should not just focus on rankings.
Currently world No 2 in the classical rankings behind compatriot Hou Yifan, Chongqing native Lei was one of five Chinese players in the world’s top 10.
Speaking ahead of the start of the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Hong Kong on Wednesday, the grandmaster also hoped that AI could “improve more” to help chess players grow.
“Some may use AI to analyse their game, and some may just play against AI to raise their level,” she said. “Chess is an amazing sport, it’s not just about your ability, but also various psychological factors; it’s a comprehensive sport.
“So AI may not be able to simulate the tension and anxiety that humans experience during a match. Therefore, if AI can improve in some ways, such as by becoming more human-like, it could provide greater potential for improvement in chess and chess players.”
Lei, who has been a grandmaster since 2017, also said there is more to chess than just chasing rankings.