Indian-origin players Bodhna Shivanandan and Shreyas Royal created history by winning the British Chess Championship. The 11-year-old Bodhna became Britain’s youngest-ever female chess champion in the competition, which concluded on Sunday (August 9). During the competition, the spectators, fondly calling her “Godhna,” cheered her on. She won the title by defeating 14-year-old Trisha Kanyamarala of Ireland in a thrilling rapid chess playoff.
Bodhna first started playing chess during the lockdown imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. She became interested in chess when a friend of her father’s was returning to India and left behind some bags, including a chess board. “I found the chess pieces fascinating, so I started playing,” Bodhna said.
Bodhana has also become a champion in Blitz
Bodhana has broken numerous records at a very young age and has established herself as one of the youngest successful players. In the rapid chess format, she has already become the UK Open Women’s Blitz Champion and joint British Women’s Rapid Champion. Now, with this victory in the classical format, Bodhana has completed an impressive hat-trick.
Shreyas is also amazing
Bodhna’s only loss in this championship came in the sixth round at the hands of Shreyas Royal. The 17-year-old Shreyas topped the table after nine rounds to win the British title by total points. He outscored the experienced Grandmasters from England by half a point. This was his first British title.
Born in India, Shreyas moved to the UK from Bengaluru with his parents, Jitendra and Anju Singh, at the age of three. Nearly eight years ago, the English Chess Federation (ECF) made a special request to the Home Office to allow this exceptionally talented player to stay in the UK and further develop his skills.
Former British minister Sajid Javid wrote on social media after Shreyas’s victory, “As Home Secretary in 2018, I made the decision to allow Shreyas and his family to stay in the UK. It is a pleasure to see his extraordinary talent blossom. Shreyas, the whole of Britain is proud of you.”
The biggest event in British history
The 2026 event is being billed as the largest event in the British Chess Championship’s 122-year history. More than 1,750 players participated, and a record £34,000 prize money was announced for the Open Championship.