During a thrilling tournament in Hull last week, all eyes were on a 15-year-old chess prodigy who notched up the requisite wins to become England’s youngest Grandmaster.
In this exclusive interview, Shreyas Royal joined his proud father, Jitendra Singh, to share with iGlobal the exhilarating journey to hitting this historic milestone. While the Woolwich-based London schoolboy relived some of the intense moments leading up to his final “norm” and the balancing act between academics and chess, his father reflected upon the crucial backing of government ministers that helped the family along this road to success.
How does it feel to become the UK's youngest Grandmaster?
Shreyas: It feels incredible, especially after chasing this record for so long. I missed achieving it by very narrow margins in five tournaments. Finally getting the norm two days ago was a huge relief, like a weight lifted off my shoulders.
Jitendra: Our whole family is extremely proud of him. We've seen his journey over the past six years, the sacrifices and hard work he's put in. We're truly proud of his dedication and achievement.
What was it like meeting then PM Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street?
Shreyas: It was surreal to meet and be acknowledged by the then Prime Minister. Despite his limited knowledge of chess, he showed genuine interest and passion, and was keen to learn more. It was very motivating to hear that he thought that I was an inspiration to many people.
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Can you share a bit about the ups and downs along the way?
Jitendra: In 2018, our visa was about to expire, and we faced a year-long cooling-off period. The English Chess Federation, Dominic Lawson, President of the Chess Federation, Malcolm Payne, CEO of Chess and School Community, our local MP Matthew Pennycock, and Rachel Reeves, now the Chancellor, helped us stay in the UK.
Their support was crucial during a very tense period. They requested Sajid Javid, the former home secretary, for our visa, and he considered Shreyas’ exceptional talent and allowed us to stay in the country. Now, we are British citizens. Recently, both Sajid Javid and Rachel Reeves congratulated Shreyas on his achievement.
What are your future plans?
Shreyas: My next goal is to reach a 2600 rating and join the national team. Although I missed this year due to the inclusion of a Russian player, I aim to be part of the Olympiad team in the next two years. Ultimately, I aspire to be one of the best players in the world, possibly even a world champion, but I'll take it step by step and see how far it takes me.
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How do you balance your schoolwork with chess?
Shreyas: I manage my time by focusing on one thing at a time. With the Grandmaster title secured, I can now concentrate more on my GCSEs and aim for excellent results next year. It's just about managing my time wisely. It can get very tight at times, but I'm somehow able to make it work at the moment.
*Info: Shreyas Royal