In the world of elite chess, where grandmasters often burst into the spotlight with flashy debuts or social media fame, Xu Xiangyu stands out in a different way, with quiet resilience, relentless growth, and a vision shaped more by long hours of practice than public attention.
Born in Taiyuan, Shanxi, in September 1999, Xu began playing chess at the age of four and a half. It wasn’t part of a grand plan, just a way for his parents to channel their son’s boundless energy into something focused. But from the moment he encountered the “three-dimensional beauty” of the chessboard, something clicked. “I really liked how it looked and felt,” he once said, recalling those first encounters. “It just made sense to me.”
By the age of 9, he had already joined the national youth team, a testament to his quick understanding and sharp tactical eye. Yet, the road wasn’t always smooth. Despite three years of intensive training in Guangdong, Xu failed to break into the professional league at age 12. His parents seriously considered pulling him back to a traditional education path.
That’s when fate intervened, in the form of the Chengdu Chess Academy. In 2013, then-head coach Zhao Lan noticed Xu’s raw potential and brought him into the newly promoted Chengdu team. What followed was a meticulously structured environment that prioritized long-term development over short-term results. “While other places focused on immediate returns,” Xu reflected, “Chengdu gave us the room to fail and learn. That made all the difference.”
By 17, Xu Xiangyu became Sichuan’s first male grandmaster, a symbol of how the Chengdu model could produce world-class results. Alongside teammates like Li Di, Zhao Yuanhe, and Ren Xiaoyi, Xu was part of a wave that revitalized Chengdu’s position on China’s chess map. And despite becoming a national team regular and later captain, he has remained remarkably humble. On returning to the academy years later, he greeted janitors, old coaches, and staff with the same quiet respect. “Xiao Xu is back,” they said fondly. “How have you been?”
International Breakthroughs
Xu’s rise on the global stage has been slower but no less determined. At the 2021 World Chess Championship (China) qualifier in Shaoxing, he famously defeated Huang Renjie to end his unbeaten run and top the leaderboard. But Xu made it clear he wasn’t just hunting domestic trophies.
“My goal,” he said at the time, “is to become a chess king like Carlsen. Not just strong – dominant. Someone who can defeat opponents with clarity and style.”
That ambition was on display again in March 2024, when he played in the 5th Shenzhen Longgang International Masters Tournament, his first high-level round-robin against global heavyweights. After shaky losses in the first two rounds, he rebounded with draws against Bu Xiangzhi, Giri, and Vladislav Artemiev, before pulling off a clean win against Daniil Dubov, outplaying the Russian grandmaster in his own Grünfeld Defense.
“Today’s win was really the result of long-term accumulation,” Xu said afterward. “Dubov surprised me with the opening, but I’ve studied this line deeply. Once I saw him misstep, I knew what to do.”
It wasn’t just a victory, it was a statement. Xu wasn’t just participating anymore. He was competing.
A Student of the Game
Despite being a full-time grandmaster, Xu has continued his university education in Shenzhen, a balance not many elite players attempt. “In the past two years, I’ve been either training with the national team or back in school,” he said in late 2021. “I’ve barely had time in Chengdu. I hope to return someday and settle down.”
His passion for learning extends beyond academics. “Some games are so intricate, I get addicted to the calculation process,” he said. “It’s like a mental battle, not just moves on a board. That feeling, when your idea clicks perfectly against your opponent’s, it’s magical.”
Breaking Ground: Key International Achievements
While domestic success is plentiful, Xu’s sights are firmly set on the global arena:
- World Team Champion (2022): As a vital member and captain, Xu led the Chinese men’s team to a historic gold medal at the FIDE World Team Championship in Jerusalem. Victories over strong teams like Spain, Ukraine, the Netherlands, and Uzbekistan in the final cemented their status.
- Shenzhen Longgang Masters Breakthrough (March 2025): This high-level round-robin tournament showcased Xu’s growth. After a tough start, he demonstrated remarkable composure. His victory over Russian star Daniil Dubov was particularly symbolic. Dubov, familiar with Xu from league play, chose the Gruenfeld Defense – a line both Xu and Anish Giri had stumbled with as Black earlier in the event. Xu, however, was prepared. He seized on Dubov’s inaccuracies, expertly converting his advantage. “This is my first time to participate in such a high-level round-robin tournament… Today’s game is really the result of my usual accumulation,” he stated, marking a significant step up.
- Roquetas de Mar Podium (January 2025): Starting 2025 strong, Xu secured 3rd place at the competitive 36th Roquetas International Chess Open in Spain with a solid 5 wins and 4 draws (7/9 points).
- Abu Dhabi Masters Runner-Up (2023): A strong performance at the 29th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival saw him finish second in the Masters Open.
- Danzhou & Shenzhen Nanshan Podiums (2023): Consistent high finishes at elite invitationals like Danzhou (3rd) and Shenzhen Nanshan (3rd) further established his international credentials.
Looking Ahead: Olympiad and Beyond
Xu has already competed seven times in China’s A-level individual events, earning silver and bronze medals. But 2024 marked a special milestone, with national team selections for the Chess Olympiad on the line. “We all came here to fight for a place,” he said in Xinghua, the town that has hosted so many of his pivotal matches. “I hope to keep improving and contribute to the team on the world stage.”
While he remains grounded, Xu’s ambition burns brightly. As the captain of the national team, he envisions not just personal glory, but a Chinese team that consistently challenges the likes of the U.S., India, and Norway at the highest levels. “I’m still in the assistant stage,” he admits, “but I believe with enough work, I can create my own sky.”
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.