Michael Adams Wins His Ninth British Chess Championship 2025

In August 2025, British chess legend Michael Adams once again proved why he is considered the backbone of modern British chess. Competing in the 111th British Chess Championship, held in the grand St George’s Hall, Liverpool, Adams secured his ninth national title at the age of 53.

The tournament was far from an easy walk. After nine classical rounds, Adams found himself tied on 7/9 points with IM Peter Roberson and GM Stuart Conquest. The stage was set for a dramatic rapidplay playoff — a format that often favors younger players. Yet Adams’s decades of experience shone through. Calm under pressure, he navigated the tense positions with trademark precision and emerged victorious, clinching the crown once more.

This win ties Adams with Henry Atkins at nine British titles, leaving him just one step behind Jonathan Penrose’s record of ten — a milestone that now feels well within reach. For context, Adams first won the championship back in 1989 at only 17 years old, making him the youngest ever to achieve the feat. Since then, he has remained at the top level of international chess, even challenging for the World Championship in 2004. His ninth national title in 2025 is not just a victory — it is a testament to a lifetime of excellence, resilience, and adaptability.

(Read more on The Guardian)

Rising Stars Shine Bright

The 2025 championship also spotlighted the next generation.

• Bodhana Sivanandan, only 10 years old, made history as the youngest girl ever to defeat a grandmaster in classical chess, while also achieving her final Women’s International Master norm. We’ve covered her remarkable story in detail in our blog: Bodhana Sivanandan: The 10-Year-Old Who Made History at the British Chess Championship.

• Supratit Banerjee, 11, secured his first IM norm, showing that the future of British chess is brimming with potential.

Chess Beyond the Board: Turning Inspiration Into Practice

Adams’s ninth title is not just about celebrating a champion — it’s about reminding every player that mastery comes from study and practice. Watching games online is inspiring, but recreating them move by move on a physical board brings a depth of understanding no screen can match.

That’s where Royal Bishop’s handcrafted marble chess sets come in. For learners, enthusiasts, and future champions, they are more than elegant boards — they are training partners.

• Relive Adams’s Playoff Brilliance: Study his rapid tiebreak victory on our Tournament-Size Marble Chess Set, crafted from polished white and black marble. Its larger surface gives you the space to recreate grandmaster positions exactly as they unfolded, making it ideal for analyzing Adams’s high-pressure playoff strategies.

• Train Daily with Elegance: The Green & White Marble Chess Set is compact yet striking, with deep green marble squares contrasting against clean white stone. Just as Adams sharpened his tactics over countless practice games, this set provides the perfect surface for your own daily training and tactical drills.

• Practice Like It’s a Match: Our Black & White Marble Chess Set combines bold black marble with pure white stone, creating a dramatic look that mirrors the intensity of real competition. Every move feels more serious, helping you build the mental focus needed to approach practice games as if they were tournament battles.

When the pieces are weighty in your hands and the board commands respect, your practice sessions become more immersive, purposeful, and rewarding.

From Living Room to Tournament Hall

Every champion’s story starts with humble practice. Adams began his journey as a teenager in Cornwall, studying classic games and honing his craft relentlessly. Today, players who aspire to improve can follow the same path — starting right at home.

Royal Bishop’s marble sets provide the bridge between casual learning and competitive ambition, offering chess enthusiasts a way to:

• Develop muscle memory by replaying iconic games.

• Train without digital distractions.

• Appreciate the artistry of chess through timeless craftsmanship.

For those ready to begin their own journey, explore our best-selling marble chess sets — crafted for learners, collectors, and future champions alike.

Conclusion

Michael Adams’s ninth British Championship title is not just a win — it’s history in the making. His journey from teenage prodigy to national icon shows what dedication and discipline can achieve.

At Royal Bishop, we believe every player deserves the chance to learn like the champions. Our marble chess sets are designed to inspire that journey — helping you practice, study, and one day write your own story of victory.

Discover the full collection at RoyalBishop.com, and let your next move bring you closer to mastery.