11-Year-Old Bodhana Sivanandan Becomes Youngest Woman Grandmaster
London, 29 September, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Eleven-year-old chess prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan has become the youngest woman grandmaster in chess history following a strong performance at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Sivanandan, who is from northwest London and represented England at the tournament, told the International Chess Federation (FIDE) that she was determined to “keep making history” after achieving the highest female-only title in chess. She said she was happy with the achievement but wanted to continue progressing rather than stop at the milestone. Sivanandan also said she did not feel significant pressure while playing on the top board and focused on enjoying the tournament. The achievement adds to her rapid rise in chess, after she became Britain’s ...
