At just 17, Shreyas Royal has become the 2026 British Chess Champion, but despite growing up in the United Kingdom, the teenager says India remains deeply woven into his identity. In an exclusive conversation, Royal reflected on his journey from being born in Bengaluru to becoming one of Britain’s brightest chess stars. Though he moved to the UK at the age of three and has few memories of his early childhood in India, he continues to maintain a strong connection with his roots through family, culture, food and community.
