11-Year-Old Girl Becomes Chess’ Youngest-Ever Woman Grandmaster, Says She Wants to ‘Keep Making History’

**11-Year-Old Bodhana Sivanandan Becomes Youngest Woman Grandmaster in Chess History**

Bodhana Sivanandan, an 11-year-old prodigy from London, has made history by becoming the youngest player ever to earn the prestigious title of Woman Grandmaster, a recognition she achieved during the recently concluded Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The competition, which took place from 15 to 27 September, saw Bodhana excel against participants from around the globe, culminating in her third and final “norm” required for the title, as reported by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

Sivanandan’s impressive performance at the Olympiad included scoring eight points across 11 games, a remarkable feat that helped secure her place among the elite in chess. The young chess player participated on board one, designated for the strongest competitor on a team, demonstrating her skill and resilience in the face of fierce international competition.

Reflecting on her achievement, Bodhana noted during an interview that she was unaware she had become the youngest titleholder at the time of her accomplishment. “I knew I had achieved the norm, but I didn’t realise I was the youngest,” she stated. Her humble attitude shone through as she said, “Now that you’ve told me, I’m happy.”

The title of Woman Grandmaster is the highest accolade for female players in the chess world and is maintained for life. Bodhana’s achievement surpasses the previous youngest titleholder, Kateryna Lagno from Ukraine and Russia, who attained the rank at the age of 12. Another notable player, Hou Yifan from China, also earned her title at 12 and later became the youngest to receive the higher-ranked open grandmaster title at just 14 years old.

Despite her burgeoning chess career, Bodhana balances her passion with full-time schooling. In her remarks, she conveyed her love for chess, stating, “I like everything about it, especially the travel, and it links to many subjects in school, which makes it useful.” However, she acknowledged the challenges of keeping up with her academic work during competitions, a testament to her ability to juggle multiple responsibilities.

Bodhana has already proved her mettle at the Olympiad, marking her second appearance at the prestigious event. When asked about the pressure of competing at such a high level, she replied nonchalantly, “Not really, I just tried to enjoy it, especially because this is my second Olympiad.” This laid-back approach to the game might surprise many, but it clearly plays a part in her success on the board.

Support for Bodhana has poured in from various quarters, including British politician Rachel Reeves, who took to social media platform X to congratulate the young star. In her post, she celebrated Bodhana’s accomplishments, expressing pride in her progression and calling her a “chess superstar.”

Sivanandan started her chess journey quite serendipitously during the COVID-19 pandemic when a friend of her father’s left a chess board behind before moving. Intrigued by the pieces, she began learning the game, and as she shared, playing chess brings her joy and enhances her skills outside the realm of the game, particularly in subjects like mathematics where strategy and calculation play essential roles.

While Bodhana Sivanandan has already etched her name in the history of chess, she remains determined to forge ahead and set new records. “I want to keep going and keep making history,” she declared, indicating her ambition and focus on future successes.

Bodhana’s outstanding achievements not only highlight her individual talent but also shine a light on the potential of young players in the world of chess. As the sport continues to evolve, it will be exciting to observe how her journey unfolds and the new heights she may reach in the coming years.