Shreyas Royal and Bodhana Sivanandan Make History at British Chess Championships
The 2026 British Chess Championships concluded in Coventry, marking a historic event as Shreyas Royal and Bodhana Sivanandan claimed the top titles. Seventeen-year-old Royal secured the overall British title after finishing ahead of seasoned grandmasters, while 11-year-old Sivanandan made history as the youngest Women's Chess Champion.
Royal topped the leaderboard after nine rounds, finishing half a point ahead of Luke McShane and Michael Adams. His victory represents a significant milestone in his career, having previously become Britain's youngest grandmaster in 2024. Sivanandan, who lost only to Royal during the tournament, triumphed in a playoff against Trisha Kanyamarala to clinch her title.
The championships were the largest in the event's 122-year history, featuring over 2,600 entries. Sivanandan's win adds to her accolades, as she is also the reigning UK Open Women's Blitz Champion and joint British Women's Rapid Champion. Both players' successes highlight the evolving landscape of British chess.