Shreyas Royal Makes History as Youngest British Chess Champion

British Chess Championship Sees Historic Win

Who: Shreyas Royal, Bodhana Sivanandan, Supratit Banerjee; What: British Chess Championship; Where: University of Warwick, Coventry, UK; When: 2026 (exact dates not disclosed)

The British Chess Championship, held at the University of Warwick in Coventry, UK, in 2026, witnessed a monumental shift in the chess landscape with the emergence of a new, youthful generation of champions. At the forefront of this change was Shreyas Royal, who, at 17, became the youngest ever British Chess Champion, surpassing Michael Adams’s 1989 record by two months. This achievement cements Royal’s position as a rising global talent.

Key Highlights

• Youngest Champion: Shreyas Royal, 17, breaks the record for the youngest British Chess Champion.
• Youthful Achievements: Bodhana Sivanandan (11) becomes the youngest British Women’s Champion, and Supratit Banerjee (12) secures the title of England’s youngest International Master.
• Prize Money: Royal wins £10,000 as the first prize.

Event Overview

The event, hosted by the University of Warwick in Coventry, showcased not only Royal’s exceptional skill but also the promising future of British chess through the accomplishments of Bodhana Sivanandan and Supratit Banerjee. Their victories signify a new era in British chess, dominated by youthful energy and talent.

Source

This report is based on information published by The Guardian — Chess.

Official source: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/14/shreyas-royal-17-youngest-ever-british-chess-champion