Shreyas Royal, 17, becomes youngest British chess champion

Shreyas Royal, a 17-year-old Indian-origin grandmaster from Dartford, Kent, has become the youngest-ever winner of the British Chess Championship, breaking nine-time champion Michael Adams' record set in 1989 by two months. Royal, who is already the UK's youngest grandmaster, said winning the championship was one of his goals and that he learned from past mistakes to stay mentally focused.

Royal's family faced a visa crisis when he was nine, with deportation from the UK a possibility. Then home secretary Sajid Javid intervened, calling Royal 'one of the most gifted chess players in his generation.' Born in Bengaluru, Royal's surname was chosen by his mother for its meaning, 'superior,' and is not a family name. He has been travelling alone to tournaments, including a solo trip to Poland for training.

Royal missed selection for the English national team for next month's Olympiad but understood the selectors' decision based on his rating at the time. He believes the UK chess scene has a long way to go compared to India but is pleased with growing government support. His strongest skill is calculation, and he enjoys boxing, cricket, football, and table tennis to maintain balance.