Shreyas Royal, an Indian-origin British prodigy born in Bangalore, makes history as the youngest Grandmaster ever. He became the 41st British Grand Master at British Grand Master defeating Grandmaster Michael Adams, concluded in Hull, UK. His family moved to South East London when his father got a job offer as an IT project manager. His family faced significant challenges when his father’s work visa expired in 2018, putting their residency in jeopardy.

Shreyas developed an interest in chess at the age of six, introduced by his father. He quickly rose to the ranks, becoming the British U8 champion in 2017. He won his first GM norm in November 2022 at the Bavarian Open held in Germany and followed it up with a second norm in December 2023. In August 2024, Shreyas achieved his final norm, becoming the youngest British Grandmaster and surpassing David Howell’s record set in 2007.

During the British Chess Championships, Shreyas finished sixth overall, scoring six points. He achieved a notable victory over GM David Howell and draws against other top players, showcasing his skill and resilience under pressure. His father, Jitendra Singh, expressed immense pride in Shreyas’s accomplishment, highlighting the years of hard work that led to this moment.

One of the significant encounters Shreyad faced with Indian GM Gukesh, a 17-year-old with a peak rating of 2758. This match was part of a round-robin tournament aimed at qualifying for the Candidates. Shreyas managed to secure a win, which was a notable upset considering Gukesh’s high ranking and expectations in the tournament. This victory not only demonstrated Shreyas’s skill but also impacted Gukesh’s chances in the competition. There are several other tournaments where Shreyas made an impact to get attention.

Shreyas aspires to become the world chess champion by the age of 21. His journey reflects not only personal ambition but also the potential for a bright future for chess in the UK, as he represents a new generation of talent in the sport. As of August 2024, Royal’s FIDE rating stands at 2504, making him the 837th-ranked player in the world and the 18th-ranked player in England among all players. We hope to see more inspiring journeys of young chess players which help the overall development of the game.

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