Shreyas Royal: UK’s Youngest Grandmaster Achieves Dream
Shreyas Royal, a 15-year-old Indian-origin British chess prodigy, has made history by becoming the UK’s youngest-ever grandmaster. After achieving his third and final grandmaster norm at the British Chess Championship in August, Shreyas has fulfilled a dream he had since he was just eight years old.
Born in Bengaluru, Shreyas moved to the UK with his family at a young age. Over the years, he has emerged as a prominent figure in British chess alongside another Indian-origin prodigy, Bodhana Sivanandan.
In an interview with The Indian Express, Shreyas shared his journey to becoming a grandmaster, highlighting the sacrifices his family made to support his career. Despite facing financial challenges and the lack of corporate sponsorship due to chess not being recognized as a sport in the UK, Shreyas persevered with the help of personal support from Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis.
Shreyas’ success at the British Chess Championship was not without its challenges. He recalled a pivotal moment in the tournament where he had to overcome a psychological block to secure his final grandmaster norm. Despite facing doubts and setbacks, Shreyas managed to push through and achieve his goal.
The astrological prediction made at Shreyas’ birth also played a significant role in his journey. His mother, Anju Singh, had faith in the prediction that he would earn name and fame, which motivated the family to support his chess career. Even the choice of the name “Royal” had a special significance based on astrological guidance.
Looking ahead, Shreyas is optimistic about his future in chess now that he has overcome his psychological barriers. With the title of grandmaster under his belt, he believes he can now showcase his true potential and reach new heights in the world of chess.
Shreyas Royal’s inspiring story serves as a reminder of the dedication, perseverance, and support required to achieve greatness in any field, and his record-breaking achievement as the UK’s youngest grandmaster is a testament to his talent and determination.