Joshua Xia - National Master and Chess Enthusiast
Meet Joshua Xia, better known in the realm of pawns and knights as DoubleTactic. A proud National Master, Joshua’s chess journey is a tale of perseverance, strategic brilliance, and enough caffeine-fueled late nights to make even the staunchest rook blink.
Rising Through The Ranks
Joshua started his rapid chess adventures around 2020 with a humble rapid rating just over 1100, and quickly marched up the leaderboard with fierce determination. By December 2024, DoubleTactic had reached a blistering Rapid rating peak of 1994 - almost grandmaster territory, but hey, don’t let the title fool you, Joshua plays like a whirlwind storm on the board.
The Bullet and Blitz Wizard
Watching Joshua play bullet chess is like watching a video game speedrun - lightning fast and astonishingly accurate. His peak bullet rating skyrocketed to an impressive 2382 in early 2025, while blitz play reached a stunning 2569 in March 2025. Opponents beware: when the clock ticks fast, Joshua thrives.
Style and Strategy
With a win rate slightly above 50% in rapid games and a tactical mindset that includes a staggering 74.6% comeback rate after being behind, Joshua is the epitome of the resilient chess player. Known for an enviable 17-game winning streak, DoubleTactic is not just about quick strikes but methodical, enduring battles.
Favorite Openings & Signature Moves
Joshua keeps a few tricks up his sleeve. In rapid games, the "Top Secret" opening yields a solid 63.64% win rate, proving sometimes mystery beats memorization. Other favorites include Queen’s Pawn and Grunfeld Defence in blitz and bullet with near-perfect scores on some rarer variations. A chess chameleon? Absolutely.
Behind the Scenes
Although known to sometimes resign a bit early (about 13% early resignation rate—hey, nobody is perfect), Joshua loves the long game, averaging 67 moves to win and even more when tasting defeat. And while tilted occasionally (tilt factor 20), he bounces back with some of the sharpest comebacks you’ll witness on any digital board.
Recent Highlights
The chessboard has seen many epic battles recently. Joshua’s latest victory was a dazzling checkmate in a Queen’s Pawn Opening blitz game, proving that strategy and timing can outwit even well-prepared adversaries. Of course, no journey is without setbacks, and losses against tough opponents keep the fire burning for next time.
Fun Fact
Joshua plays best at 8 PM, so if you’re planning to challenge DoubleTactic, perhaps avoid this prime hour unless you're ready for a tough tactical dance.
In short, Joshua Xia is a chess warrior carving a legend move by move, representing the National Master title with pride and a dash of cheeky flair.