Who is Bodhana Sivanandan, the 11-year-old chess prodigy making history?

11-year-old Indian-origin chess player Bodhana Sivanandan has created a new record by becoming the youngest player ever to earn the Woman Grandmaster (WGM) title.

Representing England at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Sivanandan secured her third and final WGM norm while playing on England’s top board. The Olympiad concluded on September 27.

She played all 11 rounds and finished with eight points. Her performance also earned her a second International Master (IM) norm, taking her another step towards the open IM title, which is available to players of any gender.

Sivanandan told the International Chess Federation (FIDE), “I'm happy to do it, but I want to keep going and keep making history as well, instead of just stopping here.”

Who is Bodhana Sivanandan?

Born and raised in London, Sivanandan lives in Harrow and continues to attend primary school. Her parents moved to the UK from Tiruchirappalli in India in 2007. Her school has reportedly made adjustments to help her manage academics alongside an increasingly busy international chess calendar.

Her introduction to chess came during the Covid-19 pandemic. When she was five, a family friend gave her a chessboard along with toys and books. She became interested in the pieces and taught herself the basics through online tutorials and YouTube videos.

“In one of the bags, I saw a chessboard, and I was interested in the pieces. I wanted to use the pieces as toys. Instead, my dad said that I could play the game, and then I started from there," she told the BBC.

From chess beginner to record holder

Sivanandan’s progress was rapid. At nine, she became the youngest person to represent England internationally in any sport.

She went on to win another national record in 2026, becoming Britain’s youngest-ever Women’s Chess Champion at the British Chess Championships.

Her latest achievement came at the Chess Olympiad, where completing her third WGM norm secured the title. The WGM title is the highest chess title reserved exclusively for female players and is awarded for life.

Her latest record surpasses the previous mark held by Kateryna Lagno.

Sivanandan’s ambitions, however, extend beyond the WGM title. With two IM norms already secured, she is also pursuing the open International Master title.

Speaking to the BBC in an earlier interview, her father said no one else in the family had shown the same level of aptitude for chess.