A new generation of chess players made their mark at the British Chess Championship held at the University of Warwick, Coventry. Shreyas Royal, 17, from Dartford, Kent, secured the title of youngest ever British champion, surpassing Michael Adams's 1989 record by two months. Royal was the only unbeaten player among 107 competitors and won a £10,000 first prize.
Bodhana Sivanandan, aged 11, won the British Women's Championship, which was incorporated into the open competition. Her performance included a notable win against GM Ameet Ghasi, which received the Alexander Prize for the best game.
Supratit Banerjee, 12, from Sutton Grammar, achieved the International Master (IM) title three days after the Coventry event, in Sweden. He completed the 2400 rating requirement for IM, becoming England's youngest ever International Master.