Bodhana Sivanandan: The Rising Star of English Chess

Bodhana Sivanandan, born on March 7, 2015, in Harrow, London, is a name that has taken the chess world by storm. This young prodigy, known for her exceptional talent and dedication to the game, has already achieved remarkable feats in her short but illustrious career. Holding the prestigious title of Woman FIDE Master, Bodhana is set to make history as the youngest-ever international player for England in any sport, being named in their Women's Team for the Chess Olympiad later this year.

Early Beginnings and Love for Chess

Bodhana's journey into the world of chess began during the lockdown in 2020. While attending St John Fisher primary school in Harrow, she discovered her passion for the game. In 2022, she expressed her love for chess, saying, "I love to play chess because it helps me to recognize patterns, focus my attention, and is helping me to learn how to strategize and calculate moves in advance. Also, I like the way the chess pieces move on the board, especially the knight."

Rapid Ascent in the Chess World

Bodhana's rise in the chess world has been nothing short of meteoric. In March 2022, just 15 months after learning the game, chess expert Leonard Barden described her as "exceptional." He highlighted her achievements, noting, "Bodhana Sivanandan, who won silver medals in both the rapid and blitz European under-8 girls, is world No. 1 girl in blitz in her age group by a whopping margin of 322 FIDE points."

In May 2022, Bodhana participated in the European Schools age group championships held in Rhodes. Displaying her immense talent, she won all 24 games she played, earning three gold medals.

Dominating the British Chess Scene

At the age of seven, Bodhana competed in the August 2022 British Chess Championship in Torquay. Her performance in the Open Rapid competition was described by Leonard Barden as "eye-catching." Despite being the youngest contestant, she defeated the current U12 champion and even impressed grandmaster Keith Arkell, who remarked, "I won only because of her inexperience."

Bodhana's success continued in 2023 when she defeated former British chess champion Peter Lee in an exhibition match. Later that year, she scored an impressive 8.5/13 in the 2023 European Blitz chess championship, winning the under-12 and women’s prizes, as well as being the top English player in the championship.

Recognition and Future Prospects

International Master Lawrence Trent praised Bodhana's skills, writing on Twitter in December 2023, "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."

In March 2024, Bodhana achieved another milestone by becoming the world no. 1 under-10 girl. Her selection in England's women's team for the 45th Chess Olympiad, set to take place in Budapest, Hungary, in September 2024, marks a significant moment in her career.

An Inspiring Tale of Dedication and Talent

Bodhana Sivanandan's success story is an inspiration to aspiring chess players and young athletes everywhere. Her journey from discovering chess during lockdown to becoming a world-renowned player is a testament to her dedication, hard work, and exceptional talent. As she prepares to represent England in the Chess Olympiad, the world eagerly awaits to witness the next chapter in the extraordinary journey of this young chess prodigy.

Bodhana's story reminds us all that age is no barrier to achieving greatness, and with passion and perseverance, any dream is possible.