Woolwich boy, 15, becomes Britain’s youngest chess grandmaster

A 15-year-old chess prodigy from Woolwich has become the youngest British chess grandmaster.

Shreyas Royal, from Woolwich Arsenal, achieved the prestigious title at the British Chess Championships at Hull City Hall on Sunday.

To earn the title of grandmaster, a player must win a series of “norms” – a high level of performance in a chess tournament.

Shreyas achieved his first “norm” at the Bavarian Open in November 2022 and scored his second in London last December.

The UK’s previous youngest grandmaster achieved the title in 2007 at the age of 16.

Shreyas’ father, Jitendra Singh, told The Times: “I am so extremely proud of Shreyas.

“It is a huge achievement for him and one he has been working towards for many years. To be the youngest ever British grandmaster is fantastic.”

Shreyas was born in India and the family moved to South London when he was three years old, after his father was offered a job as an IT project manager.

He has been rated as one of the country’s best chess prospects for several years.

Shreyas’ exceptional talent was a factor in allowing him and his family to remain 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, the current chancellor of the exchequer, both made representations on their behalf.

The family are now British citizens.

Pictured top: Shreyas Royal at the British Chess Championships at Hull City Hall on Sunday (Picture: Melinda Wilde/ British Chess Championships)