At just 16 years old, Xiao Tong (QD – meaning his native Qingdao) is no stranger to pressure, podiums, or praise. Born in Qingdao, Shandong on November 20, 2008, the young prodigy is already a name resonating through chess circles across China and beyond. In a country with a deep bench of chess talent, Xiao Tong has carved out a space of his own. He has done this through grit, consistency, and a mindset as adaptable as his game.
The Boy from Qingdao Who Conquered the Chessboard
Xiao Tong’s story began like many prodigies. Early talent, relentless training, and local tournaments. But even among China’s vast chess ecosystem, he stood out. At 8 years old, he was already appearing on national radars, finishing runner-up multiple times at the prestigious Li Chengzhi Cup in the U8, U10, and U12 categories between 2016 and 2019. In 2018, he went on to win both the rapid and blitz titles in the U10 category at the Asian Youth Championship.
These early accolades weren’t just trophies for the shelf. They were launchpads. By 2021, he was representing Shandong’s team in the National Chess Championship (Team), finishing third. A year later, he clinched third place in the second stage of the China National Chess Team Rookie Online Competition, showing that he wasn’t just good among juniors. He was rising among the elite.
A Grandmaster in Record Time
The path to becoming a Grandmaster is notoriously steep. It requires a trifecta of achievements. Three GM norms earned by excelling in international tournaments, and crossing a FIDE rating of 2500. For most, this takes years. For Xiao Tong, it took just a summer and a belief that he belonged.
In June 2023, at an open tournament in Tenerife, Spain, Xiao Tong, then rated around 2300, competed in his first overseas open tournament since the pandemic. His performance was electric. He faced four Grandmasters in a row, matching them step-for-step, and then won his final four games to not only tie for first place but also earn his first Grandmaster norm.
That tournament, Xiao says, “was a turning point.” It showed him that he could compete with the best and win.
What followed was a storm of strong performances. He picked up his second and third GM norms in Spain and Hungary. Then in April 2024, at the Formentera International Festival, he held his own against Indian GM Pranav in Round 8. That draw pushed his rating above 2500. At 15 years, 4 months, and 28 days, he became the fifth youngest Grandmaster in Chinese history and the first player born in 2008 to achieve the title worldwide.
A Season of Championships
If 2023 was the year Xiao Tong arrived, then 2024 and 2025 have been the years he thrived.
In November 2024, he won the Open Group of the 4th Belt and Road National Chess Open in Qinhuangdao. In April 2025, he earned the title of “Rookie King” after defeating Kong Xiangrui with two wins and a draw in the finals of the National Chess Rookie King Tournament. One month later, he led the Shandong men’s team to victory in the National Chess Team Championship, emerging as top scorer.
But the crowning jewel came on July 3, 2025, at the National Chess Championship (Individual). Over 11 grueling rounds, he notched 5 wins and 6 draws, finishing undefeated. A key moment came in Round 8, where he faced Jiang Haochen in a position teetering on the edge of defeat. Xiao Tong managed to claw back a draw, a result he later described as crucial to building confidence for the home stretch. He held his nerve through to the final round, drawing Kong Xiangrui to secure the title.
That marked his third national-level championship in just four months.
The “Hexagonal Warrior”
Xiao Tong describes himself as a “Hexagonal Warrior.” It’s a metaphor for someone striving for balance across all aspects of the game. Offense, defense, speed, patience, tactics, and mentality. It’s not a perfect hexagon yet, he admits, but he’s working on it.
“There’s no constant situation for soldiers, and no fixed shape for rivers,” he says, quoting an old proverb to explain his style. “Sometimes I attack. Sometimes I wait. The board decides. I just try to be ready for anything.”
He feels comfortable in both rapid and slow formats, though he admits that online rapid chess brings out the best in him. His fast thinking and low error rate help him dominate under time pressure. Yet he’s putting in the hours to raise his classical rating and results, knowing that the biggest titles still come in standard formats.
Not Just a Chess Player
Despite a schedule filled with travel, training, and tournaments, Xiao Tong is also a full-time high school student. He’s currently attending Chongqing Yucai Middle School and insists that academics remain a priority. In his first year of high school, he balances classes with weekend study sessions and occasional games.
Last year, he had more time to focus on competitions thanks to a flexible schedule. This year, the focus has shifted back to studies.
“Chess is still a big part of my life, but I can’t ignore school,” he says.
On Mentors and Role Models
When asked about idols, Xiao Tong gives a thoughtful answer.
“I don’t have one idol. I learn from many,” he explains. “Each top player has something special. Whether it’s positional brilliance, creative tactics, or psychological resilience. I try to absorb what I can from all of them.”
It’s an answer that reflects his humility and growth mindset.
What Comes Next?
With a Grandmaster title, a national championship, and international accolades under his belt before even turning 17, Xiao Tong represents the future of Chinese chess. But more than that, he represents a generation of players who are global, adaptable, and composed beyond their years.
His victories aren’t just personal. They reflect a larger shift in how young players train, think, and compete. Whether facing a chaotic tactical brawl or a quiet positional struggle, Xiao Tong seems ready. He’s part warrior, part strategist, part student.
And if his trajectory continues, the name Xiao Tong (QD) — from Qingdao to the world — may soon be etched into the deeper chapters of chess history.
Fun Fact: Xiao Tong is one of only five players in Chinese chess history to become a Grandmaster before turning 16. He is also the first player born in 2008 to do so, anywhere in the world.
Keep an eye on him. The hexagon is only getting sharper.
I’m Xuan Binh, the founder of Attacking Chess, and the Deputy Head of Communications at the Vietnam Chess Federation (VCF). My chess.com and lichess rating is above 2300, in both blitz and bullet. Follow me on Twitter (X).
