Shreyas Royal, a 15-year-old chess prodigy from south-east London, has made history by becoming Britain’s youngest chess grandmaster. Achieving this prestigious title at the British Chess

Championships on Sunday, Shreyas' father, Jitendra, expressed his pride, calling it a “great moment” for his son.

Shreyas, who hails from Woolwich, earned the grandmaster title—a recognition given only to players of the highest skill level—by winning a series of games across three separate tournaments.

A Rising Chess Prodigy

The previous record for the youngest UK grandmaster was set in 2007 by a 16-year-old. Shreyas was born in India, and his family relocated to south London when he was three, following Jitendra's job offer as an IT project manager. Shreyas' chess talent was identified early, and he has been regarded as one of the country's top chess prospects for several years.

Jitendra shared insights into his son’s journey: “When we moved to the UK, he was already showing a knack for mathematical things. At three-and-a-half, his mother decided to engage him in a mental activity and took him to a chess club when he was five. His interest and journey in chess began there.”

Despite no one in the family having a background in chess, Jitendra remarked, “I just know the basic moves.”

Overcoming Challenges

Shreyas' remarkable chess skills played a crucial role in allowing him and his family to stay in the UK when his father's work visa expired in 2018. Labour politicians Matthew Pennycook, the Greenwich and Woolwich MP, and Rachel Reeves MP, a former junior chess champion and current chancellor of the exchequer, advocated for the family.

“At that time, he was one of the best players in England,” Jitendra explained. “The English federation fought for him, and Matthew Pennycook wrote to the then home secretary, Sajid Javid.”

Sajid Javid stated he made a personal decision to permit Shreyas and his family to remain in the UK, saying, "The UK fosters world-class talent, and Shreyas is one of the most gifted chess players of his generation."

The Royal family has since become British citizens, solidifying their place in the country that has supported Shreyas' extraordinary journey in chess. Photo by Stefan64, Wikimedia commons.