Following the cancellation of the World Championship challenger Sergey Karjakin, the organizers of the Altibox Norway Chess tournament 2016 have invited Li Chao b of China to complete the 10-player field.
At 2755-elo Li Chao is currently no.15 on the FIDE rating list and second rated Chinese player.
According to the organizers, the player is postponing his wedding in order to participate in Altibox Norway Chess.
Li Chao has had numerous tournament successes in the recent years. He was Champion of Asia in 2013, winner of the 2011 Universiade in Shenzhen, 2013 Boston Chess Congress, 2013 Golden State Open, 2014 Reykjavik Open, 2015 Cappelle-la-Grande Open, 2015 Neckar Open and 2016 Graz Open.
He also defeated Peter Leko in a match and was member of the powerful “Siberia” team that won 2015 European Club Cup.