British schoolgirl, 11, becomes youngest woman grandmaster in chess history

From the Newshound archive · first published 28 September 2026 · last updated 29 September 2026.

Bodhana Sivanandan shattered a record that had stood since 2002, earning her woman grandmaster title at just 11 years old — a full year younger than any previous holder. The Harrow schoolgirl clinched the title at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, accumulating eight points from 11 games against elite international competition. The International Chess Federation confirmed her status after she secured her third and final qualifying 'norm', the official certificate of elite-level performance.

Bodhana's introduction to chess came during the pandemic, when she came across a stray board among cast-off belongings a family friend had left behind.

Her IT-worker father Sivandan Velayutham taught her the rules, but she quickly outgrew him by teaching herself through YouTube tutorials.

Leading experts are already tipping her to become Britain's greatest ever player, though she must first reach international master before attempting the full grandmaster title.