Chess and Esports: 10 questions with Shreyas Royal

What were you doing when you were 14 years old?

If you answered that you were well on your way to becoming a chess world champion, then you’d have something in common with Shreyas Royal.

He’s been playing chess since he was six and is so good the United Kingdom granted him and his family visas to stay in the country so he could continue playing chess. At age 12 he beat his first Grandmaster and became the youngest FIDE master in the UK’s history (he currently sits a tier above that at International Master).

So, yeah, he’s cruising towards his ultimate goal: to become a world champion before he turns 21.

“If not, I’m pretty content with being a top 10 chess player,” he says.

Let’s get to know Shreyas more. Also, check out the second episode of the Olympic Esports Series original series, Outside The Game, which features Shreyas and his father.

Shreyas Royal on his love of chess and his dream opponent

What is it about chess that keeps bringing you back to the board to play?

It is a very fascinating game in which I feel I have a lot more to learn. I have gotten so used to enjoying it, I don't even know why I enjoy it!

If you achieve your goal of becoming a world chess champion by the time you turn 21, you’d be the youngest world chess champion ever. Can you recall when you set this goal and what prompted you to do so?

I recall setting this when I was around seven years old. I will admit, I was very optimistic, but it was set as a starting point that would keep me hungry to work and get better at chess. Nowadays, a more realistic and mature me, I would be content with being a consistent top 10 chess player in the future.

Can you walk us through your earliest chess memory?

I remember playing a game with my father, it was one of my first ever games and I remember setting up the king and queen on the wrong squares and my father had not noticed either. I captured his king at the end of the game when it was checkmate, however capturing the king is actually illegal.

What does your preparation include when going up against highly skilled opponents?

I try to see which type of positions he struggles in, by determining his strengths and weaknesses. I check to see what openings he has struggled against in the past and also look at some of his statistics, how well he has fared against weaker opponents. Aiming for any type of an advantage with white and equality with black out of the opening are also very vital goals.

Do you have a specific competitive memory that sticks with you? Perhaps a winning moment, or a match you’d love to have another chance at?

The most memorable out of my vivid memories was in the European Youth U8 Chess Championship 2017. I had achieved joint first place, which in itself was very impressive, and I can recall standing on the huge stage with my hands overloaded holding a massive trophy in one hand and holding a lot of stationery and cash in the other hand. All of this while being wrapped around by an English flag in front of the cheering and thrilled crowd. My muscles were fatigued at the end of that memorable night, but it was all worth it as it must have been over 1000 euros worth of items.

Because of your skill in chess the UK granted you and your family a visa to stay in the country. What were your thoughts when that happened, and how has it impacted your career?

My father got a call on early August 10, 2018, one month before we were due to exit the UK. When the call ended, my father had an immense smile stretched across his face. He informed us of the sparkling news that the Home Office had just given to him. We had lost all hope by then, so this came as quite a pleasant shock. We were all elated that all the efforts of the people who had helped us had finally paid off. This meant that I could continue my chess career in the country that had discovered and expanded my chess talent. I had also been educated in this country and was so used to the surroundings and the people, I am grateful that this did not have to change either.

A lot of young teens aren’t mastering chess. What other interests or hobbies do you participate in when you’re not playing chess? Are there any shows, books or video games you get into?

I like doing a few sports, in particular, football and cricket. I do often read books on my journeys and, I would say, my favourite is the Alex Rider series. I am not such a big fan of video games, but I do like watching YouTube videos and movies.

Are there moments during a match when you know you’ve got an edge on an opponent, or they have one on you? How do you press your advantage, or recover from a mistake?

This occurs pretty frequently. I try to keep as calm as possible when I have the decisive advantage and try to be an assassin by being as ruthless as possible in finishing off the opponent. When my opponent has the edge, I try to pose problems for him and induce more risks and dilemmas for him to take.

You were able to make the opening move for Magnus Carlson, your favourite chess player. It was Pawn to D4, and you mentioned it is your favourite opening move. Why is that?

I was fortunate enough to make the first ceremonial move twice for Magnus, the first being the prestigious London Chess Classic and the second being the 2018 World Chess Championship match also occurring in London. Both times he requested 1.d4 to be played. 1.d4 has been the first-ever opening I had learnt as white, starting off as a six-year-old, and I still essay it very frequently. As a kid I played 1.d4 because it was what I taught, I continue to play it because it leads a variety of different types of positions and pawn structures which is very instructional for a chess player’s understanding.

Speaking of Magnus Carlsen, if you could play any other player in the world, who would it be and why?

I would be honoured to play many players from the past such as Garry Kasparov, Bobby Fischer, Anatoly Karpov. As for active players, I would be happy playing any strong 2700 GM.