Indian-origin teenagers Bodhana, Shreyas become British chess champions

Indian-origin teenagers Bodhana Sivanandan, just 11, and Shreyas Royal made headlines at the 2026 British Chess Championships in Coventry by claiming the women’s and open titles respectively. Bodhana secured the highly prestigious women’s championship after defeating Ireland-based 14-year-old Trisha Kanyamarala in a rapid-chess playoff.

The victory earned her accolades from renowned Grandmaster Danny Gormally, who described her as an "unreal" and "unbelievable" generational talent during the English Chess Federation's commentary.

Bodhana's chess journey began during the COVID-19 lockdown, when a family friend gifted her a chess board while they returned to India. She expressed her initial interest in the pieces, saying, "I was interested in the pieces, so I started playing."

On the other hand, seventeen-year-old Shreyas Royal emerged victorious in the Open British Championship, finishing half a point ahead of England’s experienced grandmasters after a nine-round tournament. This marked his first British title, an impressive achievement in his rising journey as a top young chess player. Royal, who migrated to the UK with his family at the age of three, became England’s youngest grandmaster at 15.

Former Home Secretary Sajid Javid praised Royal's achievement, recalling his role in allowing the family to stay in Britain. He expressed his pride in Royal's extraordinary talent, stating, "In 2018, as Home Secretary, I took a decision to allow Shreyas and his family to remain in the UK. Wonderful to see his extraordinary talent flourish. Britain is proud of you, Shreyas."

The 2026 championships saw over 1,750 entrants, setting a record with a £34,000 prize fund for the open event.