An incredibly talented nine-year-old schoolboy who is already conquering the world of chess, helped inspire a whole new generation of young players when he showed off his mind-blowing skills at Uxbridge Chess Club.
In the process I learnt how chess is helping transform children in west London into responsible, disciplined and wise little people.
Decked out in a smart suit which is just a little too big for him, Shreyas Royal who is already the best player in the under-12 age group in the UK, and the second best under-10's player in the world, took on 17 very keen players from the Uxbridge Junior Chess Club on Monday, October 29.
The diminutive maestro played 17 juniors simultaneously, which means he literally had to walk between 17 different chess boards, and played each game against the clock. He beat all but one in 90 minutes, drawing one match with delighted club member Rudra Debnath, aged just eight.
