The British Chess Championships, taking place this month at the University of Warwick, are showcasing a remarkable age range among competitors. Six-year-old Riyaan, the youngest participant, is already Britain's top-ranked player in his age group and ninth globally for under sevens. He was introduced to the game by his older sister three years ago and quickly began beating his father, Robert.
On the other end of the spectrum is 93-year-old John Eddershaw, the oldest competitor, who learned chess at eight. Eddershaw, from Sheffield, expressed enjoyment in playing against Riyaan, despite their 87-year age difference, noting that Riyaan was teaching him something. In their game, experience ultimately prevailed as Riyaan resigned.
The championships, first held in 1904, are attracting more competitors than ever before, reflecting a broader surge in chess popularity. Factors cited for this boom include boredom during Covid lockdowns, the rise of online chess platforms, and the Netflix series "The Queen's Gambit." The English Chess Federation has seen its membership double from 10,000 in 2015 to 20,000 today.