1/4/2025 – The Hastings International Chess Congress, steeped in tradition since 1895, remains a cherished fixture in the chess world. This year's edition, held from 28 December to 3 January, showcased both seasoned grandmasters and emerging stars. In a gripping 9-round Swiss open, China's untitled player Haowen Xue triumphed with an undefeated 7 points. Close behind were grandmasters Pengxiang Zhang and Pierre Laurent-Paoli, alongside England's rising talent Shreyas Royal. | Photo: Official website

7/3/2024 – With 8 points from 10 games (+6, =4), 16-year-old Chinese player Haowen Xue secured the sole tournament victory at the strong Arona Open in Tenerife, which ended on 30 June. Second place went to 15-year-old Englishman Shreyas Royal, who is hoping to replace David Howell as the youngest English grandmaster of all time, but narrowly missed out on his third GM norm in Tenerife. The winner of the tournament, Haowen Xue, has yet to get a title, but is no unknown. | Photo: Lennart Ootes