Bodhana Sivanandan, a nine-year-old British Indian chess prodigy, has made history as the youngest sports star ever to represent England internationally. Living in Harrow, she joins England’s women’s team for the Chess Olympiad in Budapest this September, becoming their youngest member alongside teammates mostly in their 30s and 40s.
Ranked as the top under-10 girl globally in Fide’s July classical rating list, Bodhana holds an impressive 2185 Elo rating, ranking 58th on the blitz list despite her age, showcasing her exceptional talent and potential in chess. Her teammate, Jovanka Houska, describes her as formidable on the board, with opponents expressing fear due to her high skill level at such a young age.
Last year, Bodhana achieved a significant milestone by becoming England’s first world youth chess champion in 25 years, winning titles in classical, rapid, and blitz competitions in the girls’ under-8 category. She continued her success by securing the women’s title at the European Women’s Blitz Championship in Croatia.
Expressing her excitement, Bodhana shared, “I’m thrilled to represent England—it’s a great honor, and I look forward to being part of the team.” Her journey into chess began during lockdown at the age of five when she discovered a discarded chess set and started learning through online resources and matches against strangers.
Her father, Velayutham, believes Bodhana was drawn to chess for its royal associations and strategic depth. Looking ahead, she aspires to achieve the grandmaster title and become the women’s world champion, currently holding the title of Woman FIDE Master. Malcolm Pein, an England team selector, noted her selection at such a young age as a remarkable achievement in British sports.
The surge of interest in chess in the UK, sparked by Netflix’s ‘The Queen’s Gambit’, has contributed to a new generation of players. Bodhana joins other rising talents like Shreyas Royal, Ethan Pang, and Supratit Banerjee, set to participate in ChessFest at Trafalgar Square organized by ‘Chess in Schools and Communities’.
