GM candidate Shreyas turns 15!

by Frederic Friedel
1/16/2024 – Last Tuesday, this young lad turned 15. Shreyas Royal gained his IM title in 2022, the youngest English player to do this. As a result he was invited to the London Chess Classic in December. There he was the lowest ranked player, but finished with 2630 performance, 226 points above his FIDE rating. In the Hastings Congress he missed his third GM norm by a whisker. It is time to take a closer look at this bright young talent, from whom we will be hearing a lot in the future. | Photo: Olympics.com
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Shreyas Royal was born in Bangalore, India, in 2009. Incidentally, the surname 'Royal' doesn't run in the family. It was given after an astrologer advised the family to use a name with the initials SR.

When Shreyas was three, the family he moved to the UK. He learnt chess at six, from his father, Jiterndra Singh. In 2017 he won the European Youth U8 Chess Championship, and in October 2022, at the age of 13, made his full IM title – the youngest English player to ever achieve this. He currently has two GM norms, and is aiming to break the Youngest GM record in the UK (held by David Howell at 16 years and one month). 

Here are some of Shreyas Royal's accomplishments:

  • European Youth U8 Chess Champion (2017)
  • Youngest English International Master (2022)
  • Invited to the London Chess Classic (2023)
  • Finished seventh out of 10 at the London Chess Classic (2023)
  • Current FIDE rating: 2459

At the end of December, Shreyas played in the 97th Caplin Hastings Congress 2023-24. The main story from the event was his attempt to get his third and final GM norm. Shreyas came very close, finishing in third place, half a point short. He actually missed difficult wins in three of his last four games.

Royalty and prominence: Shreyas with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and with legendary World Champion Garry Kasparov, who has helped train the lad.

The KCF (Kasparov Chess Foundation) invited Shreyas for some European training camps, and in July 2023 he trained directly with Kasparov. They discussed some of his most complicated games, then he was faced with very difficult tests and exercises. In the end, Shreyas was able to impress Kasparov to get selected for the KCF’s “Young Stars” program. They will monitor the students' for the foreseeable future, give recommendations, online sessions, and work alongside their coaches and organise these once-in a year training camps with Kasparov. They recently assigned a coach for Shreyas to work with.

I recently chatted with Shreyas (on Skype). He is a very pleasant young man, intelligent and outgoing. What additionally impressed me was that he spoke with only the slightest trace of an Indian accent – this lad is British. Listen to him in this ChessBase India interview:

I asked Shreyas for annotated games for ChessBase, and they were quickly forthcoming. Here are two samples, the first against his highest-ranked opponent. Note that our endgame expert GM Dr Karsten Müller has analysed the finish in this article. 

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1.e41,170,31954%2421---
1.d4949,86755%2434---
1.Nf3282,62856%2440---
1.c4182,73156%2442---
1.g319,74556%2427---
1.b314,34754%2427---
1.f45,91748%2377---
1.Nc33,81651%2384---
1.b41,75948%2379---
1.a31,22254%2404---
1.e31,07349%2409---
1.d395550%2378---
1.g466646%2361---
1.h444953%2374---
1.c343551%2426---
1.h328356%2419---
1.a411460%2465---
1.f39346%2435---
1.Nh39066%2505---
1.Na34262%2482---
1.d4 This game is my highest rated victory in my career so far! I was surprised in the opening and had no advantage in a dry position, I eventually grinded to a winning endgame. A victory to cherish. Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 d5 3...Bb4 I had prepared some line vs Nimzo-Indian for this particular game 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 Initially, because I knew that Nimzo was the more critical test, I was excited! It was a short-lived joy, his next move left me peeved at myself Bb4 I'd forgotten about this line while preparing. I decided to play something very solid, I know that Amin is usually very well-prepared and good in some sharper, more tactical positions 6.Nf3 We have tranposed into a Ragozin h6 7.Bxf6 7.Bh4 Is more popular and leads to complications g5!? 8.Bg3 Ne4 Very topical among the top players 9.Nd2 Nxg3 10.hxg3 c6 Lot of theory in these lines, I couldn't recall it during this game 7...Qxf6 8.Qb3 Qd6 Provoking a3 9.a3 Bxc3+ 10.Qxc3 We have reached an equal and simplified Carlsbad, both sides have their chances but it does have a tendency to be dry 0-0 11.e3 Bf5 12.Rc1 I didn't exactly know the theory and decided to make up something as I go along c6 13.Ne5!? The knight is usually well placed on d3/d6 in Carlsbad structures. Despite this plan being very logical, I've deviated from main-line theory and this is a novelty! Nd7 14.Bd3! Bxd3 14...Nxe5 15.Bxf5 Nd7= Is also completely fine 15.Nxd3 Rfe8 16.0-0 Nf6 17.b4! Going for a 'minority attack' a6 18.a4 Ne4 19.Qb2 Qe7 20.b5! I have to play it now, he will play Nd6 otherwise 20.Rfd1?! If I play a move like this, for example, black will play Nd6 Black has achieved his ideal setup and there are many model games from these sort of positions 20...cxb5?! An inaccuracy induced by the need to beat someone 250 points lower-rated at any cost. 20...axb5! Equalises cleanly 21.axb5 Qa3! 22.Qxa3 Rxa3 23.Nc5 I had calculated this line and was getting ready to offer a draw soon Nc3 Double threat, fortunately, I have... 23...cxb5 24.Nxe4 dxe4 25.Rb1 Ra5 26.Rfc1 b6 27.Rb4= The pawns are too weak and are eventually going to drop 24.Ra1! Rxa1 24...Ne2+ 25.Kh1 Rxa1 26.Rxa1 b6 27.Na6 cxb5 28.Nc7 25.Rxa1 b6 26.Nd3 Nxb5 26...cxb5 27.Ra6 27.Nb4 Rc8 28.Ra6= One of the pawns drop 21.axb5 a5 22.b6! Only way to fight for an advantage, I have very good control over the c-file. I also free up the b5 square for the queen and stop any possible b6 ideas he might have to establish a protected passed pawn Qd6? 22...Rec8! Every other move leads to black being worse. It is vital that black continues to fight for the c-file 23.Rxc8+ Rxc8 24.Qa2 Rc3! Is what the engine suggests, another only move which is easy to miss 25.Ne5 Qb4 26.Qxd5 Nd6= The engine is cold-blooded and casually evaluates this position as equal 23.Rc7 Re7 24.Rfc1 Rae8 25.Nc5!? The most practical try, steering the game towards two-results with no risk 25.Qb5! I had seen this too but was 'seeing ghosts'. This move is more convincing Qa3 I was worried about the back rank and the knight on d3, but, there's nothing to worry about if you can calculate precisely! 26.Qxd5! Re6 26...Qxd3? 27.Rxe7 Rxe7 28.Qd8+ 27.Qb5+- Is simply winning 25...Nxc5 26.dxc5 Qe6 27.Rxe7 Qxe7 28.Qb5! The most precise by far. It stops Qd7, Qc6 and some d4 ideas too Rb8! Precise defence by him too 28...Rc8?! 29.c6! I was calculating this bxc6 29...Qa3 30.Rb1! I can calmly side-step and my pawn will be strong bxc6 30...Rxc6 31.Qxc6! 31.b7 Rb8 32.Qxc6 Qf8 33.Rc1+- 30.Rxc6 Rb8 31.h3!+- Taking care of the back rank before capturing a5; there's no rush! 31.Qxa5? d4! 29.Qxa5 Qd7 30.h3 The position is evaluated as +2 by the engine, I didn't think I was winning (I thought I was much better and close to winning) during the game but did an immaculate job of converting Qc6 31.Qc3 Rc8 32.Qe5 g6 33.h4 h5 34.Kh2! Preparing Qd6 while keeping him guessing if I want to go for a Nigel Short king-walk! Re8 35.Qd6 Qxd6+ 36.cxd6 Slightly risky changing the position before the time-control but I'd evaluated the rook-ending, correctly, to be winning Rd8 37.Rc7 Rxd6 38.Rxb7 The main reason this endgame is losing is because his rook is poorly-placed, the rook is ideally placed behind the pawn. Black's only way to get his rook behind the pawn is to push d4, gain a tempo by taking h4 and then put it on d4; I make this impossible for him to achieve Kg7 38...d4? Loses instantly 39.Rb8+ Kg7 40.b7 Loses a pawn Rd7 41.exd4+- 39.Kg3 Kf6 39...d4 40.exd4 Rxd4 Black doesn't attack the h4-pawn with a tempo and, thus, allows me to side-step and still claim a winning position 41.Rc7! Rb4 42.b7 Kf6 43.Kf3+- My pieces are well-placed, while his pieces are tied down to certain functions, I can simply walk my king up 40.Kf3 d4 He pushes it now, but once again, it's not working due to one move... 41.Ke2! Still denies his rook getting behind the pawn, the only winning move! 41.exd4 Rxd4 42.g3 Rb4 Is holdable 41...dxe3 41...d3+ 42.Kd2+- My king blockades his pawn perfectly 42.Kxe3 Ke6 43.f3 I make some slow improving moves while I figure out the winning plan on his time Kf6 44.g3 g5?! He loses patience and awards me a much quicker win 44...Ke6 Would've been more appropriate, however, black is still lost 45.Ke4 Kf6 46.Rb8! He can't move his king back to e6 and is essentially in zugswang! Ke7 46...Kg7 47.Ke5+- 46...Ke6 47.b7+- 47.Ke5 f6+ 48.Ke4 Kd7 49.b7 Kc7 50.Rg8+- 45.Rb8! Good tactical vision by me! I'd calculated the lines accurately gxh4 46.Rh8 Re6+ 46...Rxb6 47.Rh6+ Kg5 48.Rxb6 hxg3 49.Rb5+ Kh4 50.f4+- 46...hxg3 47.b7 g2 48.Kf2 46...h3 47.b7 h2 48.b8Q h1Q 49.Qxd6+ 47.Kf4 hxg3 47...Re7 48.gxh4 Kg6 protecting pawn 49.Rg8+ Kh6 50.Rg1!+- 47...h3 48.b7 h2 49.b8Q h1Q 50.Qd8+ Kg6 51.Qg8+ Kf6 52.Qg5# 48.b7 g2 49.b8Q g1Q 50.Qd8+ Re7 51.Rh6+ Qg6 52.Qd4+! Ke6 Precise till the end! 53.Qb6+ 1–0
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Royal,S2438Tabatabaei,M26921–02023D3813th London Chess Classic3.5

The second game is against Gukesh, to which Shrjeyas wrote:

This was my game with 17 year-old Gukesh, already with a peak rating of 2758!. He chose to play in this round robin tournament to try to qualify, through the FIDE Circuit, for the Candidates. Unfortunately, he could not win the tournament and ended up placing third. I may have been one of the party-poopers along the way for his Candidate chances, seeing as he must have been expected to beat me.

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1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 I decide to repeat inviting the Nimzo, seeing as it worked out in my R3 game vs Amin Tabatabaei! Bb4 4.e3 The Rubinstein Variation. Known as very principled line vs the Nimzo. In recent years, a lot of new ideas have been discovered in this line. 0-0 5.Bd3 This move serves as good waiting move while developing a piece. The idea is wait for d5 to happen and then play a3, where he can't usually go for the dark-squared Saemisch Setups 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 c5 The pawn is better on c5 than d5 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Ne2 b6 5...d5 6.a3 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 dxc4 Black has to choose a different strategy since he cannot go back into a Saemisch anymore 8.Bxc4 c5 9.Nf3 9.Ne2 Qc7 10.Bd3 Is another line, frequently employed by Sarana 10.Ba2 9...Qc7 10.Be2 b6 Black generally tries to succeed in some light-squared strategy, while White generally tries to push his c4 pawn at the right moment and play with the hanging pawns and two bishops 11.0-0 Bb7 12.Bb2 Nbd7 13.c4 Rfd8 14.Rc1 I'd mixed up the move-order and it gave him a chance to equalise on the spot 14.Re1! Is a better move-order, Ng4 doesn't work here Rac8 14...Ng4?! 15.h3 Bxf3? 15...Ngf6 16.Bxf3 Qh2+ 17.Kf1 15.Bf1 14...Ng4! 15.h3 Ngf6?! He didn't want too many simplifications, even if it meant equalising. He shouldn't have played Ng4 if this was the case. 15...Bxf3! 16.hxg4 Bxe2 17.Qxe2 cxd4! 18.exd4 Qf4! 19.g3= I think white has a tiny edge and is more preferable but that's about it 16.Re1?! Going for the wrong plan 16.Qb3! Makes more sense, getting the rook to d1 and trying for d5 at the right moment Rac8 17.Rfd1 16...Rac8 17.Bf1 Nf8 18.g3 Ng6 19.Bg2 Be4!= Followed by Qb7, the position is equal 20.Qe2 Qb7 21.Red1 Rd7 22.h4! Trying to bring h5 tricks into the equation cxd4?! Releasing the tension when my bishop is fianchettoed isn't so good in these positions. Gukesh had a concrete idea in mind 22...h5 Shutting down any h5 ideas is the best way to keep the game equal 23.Rd2= 23.exd4 Rdc7? Threatens b5, objectively a mistake but only if White find the best and only move 24.d5! After about 25 mins of thought, I find the best move and seize the initiative exd5 25.Bh3! Getting my bishop out of the h1-e4 diagonal when I move my knight, I do this with tempo Re8 26.Bxf6! gxf6 27.h5! Another only move, I'm playing this very energetically, which is what the position requires Ne5 28.Nxe5 Rxe5 29.f4? The most natural but, unfortunately, not the best 29.h6!+- Is the correct move-order. It's a bit counter-intuitive because black can give some discovered attacks since his bishop is free to roam; however, Black's bank rank remains as a bigger issue Qc6 29...Bf5 30.Qf3! All tactics work out in White's favour d4! 30...Qc8 31.Re1 31.Rxd4! Kf8 32.Qxb7 Rxb7 33.f4+- 30.cxd5 Qxc1 31.d6! Brilliant Zwischenzug Qc5 31...Rd5 32.Rxc1 Rxc1+ 33.Bf1+- 32.Qg4+ Bg6 33.dxc7 Qxc7 34.Qf3+- 29...Re8 30.h6 Qc6?! Once again, very natural despite being classified as a 'mistake' by the computer. Gukesh played this after very long thought, almost bringing him to some time issues, clearly indicating that he was at unease 30...Kf8! Excellent prophylaxis and the only way to keep the balance 31.Qb2 Rc6 32.cxd5 Rxc1 33.Qxc1 Bxd5 34.Qc3 Qc6= 31.Qg4+ Bg6! Gukesh finds a creative idea 31...Kf8?? 32.cxd5! Qxc1 33.Qg7+ Ke7 34.d6+! Kd8 35.dxc7++- 32.f5 dxc4 33.fxg6?= The computer suggests I should leave the bishop on g6, as it is a goner anyways, and improve my position. When I take on g6, it allows h7 as a shelter for his king 33.Qf4 b5 34.Bg2 Qc5+ 35.Kh2± White is close to winning; I will take on g6 when I have improved my position as much possible 33...hxg6 I froze here for a while, realising that I spoiled my advantage and should've kept the tension. 34.Qd4! Re5 35.Rc3 Kh7 36.Bg2 Qc5 37.Qxc5 Rexc5 38.Rd6 f5 39.a4! Takes the sting out of b5 Kxh6 40.Kf2 Kg5 Black can only push in this drawn endgame. I fend him off without too much trouble 41.Bf1 f4 42.gxf4+ Kxf4 43.Rd4+ Ke5 44.Rdxc4 Rxc4 45.Rxc4 Rc5 46.Ke3 f5 47.Rh4 g5 48.Rh8 f4+ 49.Kd2! Not allowing any checks or penetration. My bishop is best placed on d3 and I also help that g4 50.Rg8! Provoking his pawns on the dark-squares so my light-squared bishop can blockade them g3 51.Bd3 Rc7 52.Rg5+! Making the position of his king worse Kd6 52...Kd4 53.Rf5! Rg7 54.Rxf4+ Kc5 55.Rf1= 55.Bf1 g2 56.Bxg2 Rxg2+ 57.Kc3= Even this is a simple draw 53.Be2 Re7 54.Bf3 Re3 I think Gukesh over-looked my tactic; Nonetheless, it wouldn't make a difference since I was going to win the pawn anyways 55.Rxg3! fxg3 56.Kxe3 Kc5 57.Bd1 b5 58.axb5 Kxb5 59.Kf3 a5 60.Kxg3 a4 61.Bxa4+ Kxa4 ½–½
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Royal,S2438Gukesh,D2720½–½2023E5313th London Chess Classic7.3

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Editor-in-Chief emeritus of the ChessBase News page. Studied Philosophy and Linguistics at the University of Hamburg and Oxford, graduating with a thesis on speech act theory and moral language. He started a university career but switched to science journalism, producing documentaries for German TV. In 1986 he co-founded ChessBase.

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