Indian-Origin Players Shine at British Chess Championship

Indian-origin chess players produced a remarkable performance at this season’s British Chess Championship, winning both the women’s and open titles. Eleven-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan created history by becoming the youngest female chess champion in Britain. She secured the women’s title after defeating 14-year-old Irish player Trisha Kanyamarala in the playoff. Bodhana’s achievement marks another significant milestone in her rapidly rising chess career.

The open title also went to an Indian-origin player, with 17-year-old Shreyas Royal finishing at the top after nine rounds to claim the championship. The British Chess Championship is regarded as one of the most prestigious events in the country’s long chess history, which spans more than a century. Winning both the women’s and open titles with Indian-origin players has highlighted the growing presence and success of young players of Indian heritage in British chess.