Bodhana Sivanandan has taken the world of chess by storm and the British-born grandmaster in the making is only 8 years-old. But just who is Bodhana Sivanandan, where was see born and what chess records is she breaking to get this high accolades?
Bodhana Sivanandan Chess Prodigy Named Best Female Player at European Championships
Born in Harrow, north-west London, young Bodhana Sivanandan, who is just 8 years-old, is hitting the chess headlines after being crowed the best female players at the European chess championships in Croatia.
In doing this, Sivanandan defeated an international master and what’s even more remarkable is that she only started playing chess aged 5. Meaning she’s become child to checkmate it just three years.
Bodhana Sivanandan perfected her trade during the pandemic – with seasoned chess pros, including Irina Bulmage dubbing her a ‘phenomenon’.
During the tournament she also saw off internatinal master and England chess coach Lorin D’Costa, who is aged over 30 year-old older that Sivanandan.
Unbelievable result by 8 yo girl- Bodhana, who held a draw in the last round of the European Blitz Championship to score 8,5p/ 13, winning the 1st prize among women ahead of me and a bunch of other experienced players! What a phenomenon she is! @ECUonline#chess #WomenInChess pic.twitter.com/jpezeVhwo5
— Irina Bulmaga (@IrinaBulmaga) December 16, 2023
Sivanandan Beat 48 Chess Grandmasters at Latest Event
Still at primary school (obviously) Sivanandan racked up a score of 8.5/13 points to land the recent European blitz champions title over weekend of 16th-17th December 2023.
This score saw her finish 73rd overall in a field of 555 chess players, with many big names of the sport in behind her – including 48 grandmasters.
Her winning score saw her battle is out with grandmasters, international masters and leading chess experts, and with time on her hands many are tipping Sivanandan to be the next big chess ‘queen’.
When her father Siva was asked about her chess exploits, he said – she was “trying her best and it has worked in favour of her. She likes chess and she likes travelling. We keep trying and keep going”.
She will be in action at the Chess Congress in Hastings, East Sussex at the end of December (28th).
Bodhana Has Already Met The PM
Earlier in 2023 Bodhana Sivanandan also met Rishi Sunak, who invited her to Downing Street as the Prime Minister announced a £1m package to help children in underprivileged areas to be taught and play chess.
Bodhana Sivanandan Chess Genius Tipped To Become England’s Best Ever Player
Fresh from this latest tournament Bodhana Sivanandan is also being tipped to become England’s best player.
With English chess commentator Lawrence Trent agreeing by saying – “no doubt – she is one of the greatest talents I’ve witnessed in recent memory. The maturity of her play, her sublime touch, it’s truly breathtaking. I have no doubt she will be England’s greatest player and most likely one of the greatest the game has ever seen.”
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