Bodhana Sivanandan: Young Chess Prodigy Shines as England’s Top Female Player
Indians around the world are making waves in chess, and the latest star to emerge is 11-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan, who has just been ranked as England’s top female player by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
Bodhana’s journey began when her family moved from Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu to England in 2007. Now, she boasts an impressive FIDE rating of 2366 points.
Currently a primary school student in North London, Bodhana has surpassed Lan Yao, a four-time British women’s champion, to claim the top spot on England’s female chess list. This remarkable achievement has also placed her among the world’s top 100 female chess players for the first time, with a ranking of 72, as announced by the English Chess Federation.
An inspiring story unfolds behind Bodhana’s rise. She discovered her passion for chess during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown when she found an old chess set that her father planned to discard.
Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is also of Indian heritage, shared his congratulations for Bodhana, recalling their game in the garden of his official residence. “Huge congratulations to Bodhana Sivanandan on becoming England’s top female chess player at just 11 years old,” he wrote on social media. “Let’s just say her success has not come as a shock.”
In addition to her recent success, Bodhana became a Woman International Master last year and showcased her skills by defeating Ukraine’s former world champion, Grandmaster Mariya Muzychuk, in a competition in Greece.
Richard Walsh, CEO of the English Chess Federation, praised her achievements, stating, “She is blazing a trail not just for women and girls in the game, but for all chess players in England. We cannot wait to see what she can do in her career.”
With hard work and support from her family, Bodhana is now competing at the highest levels, proudly representing her roots. The chess world is excited to see where her talent will take her next.
