Nine-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan, a British Tamil chess prodigy, is making waves in the chess world and is all set to script history as the youngest ever international player for England in any sport. Her journey from discovering chess during the Covid-19 lockdown to being selected for the England Women’s Team at the Chess Olympiad in Hungary is nothing short of remarkable.
Rise to Chess Stardom
Lockdown Discovery: Bodhana’s love for chess blossomed during the Covid-19 lockdown at the age of five. Her exceptional strategic acumen and intuitive grasp of the game quickly propelled her into the spotlight, leading to her selection for the England Women’s Team at the Chess Olympiad in Hungary.
Exceptional Talent: At the age of eight, she achieved a remarkable rating of 2088, making her the third-highest rated 8-year-old chess player ever. Her playing style, described as strategic and patient, has drawn comparisons to chess legends and fictional characters like Beth Harmon from “The Queen’s Gambit”.
9-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan will be the youngest ever to represent England at a Chess Olympiad!🏴 Huge congrats to you, and I’m excited to follow your games come September in Budapest!#ChessConnectsUs #prodigy #keepfocus #sporthistory #newgenerations
📷 https://t.co/GgvoeJphhS pic.twitter.com/hoZFUJLHax— Judit Polgar (@GMJuditPolgar) July 3, 2024
Sporting Achievements and Recognition
World Championships: Bodhana’s fearless approach and exceptional talent were evident when she won all three world championships titles (classical, rapid, and blitz) at the under-eight level, showcasing her prowess and potential in the chess realm.
Chess Community Recognition: Chess masters have hailed her as a “phenomenon,” recognizing her exceptional talent and ability to visualize the game unfolding, likened to the legendary Judit Polgár, who achieved Grandmaster status at 15 and shattered gender stereotypes in the chess world.
Surprising Talent and Support
Bodhana’s father, Sivanandan, an engineering graduate, expressed surprise at his daughter’s prodigious talent, stating, “I’m an engineering graduate, as is my wife, but I’m not good at chess. I tried a couple of league games, but I was very poor”.
Love Affair with Chess
Bodhana’s journey into the world of chess began when she found a chess board in a bag left by one of her father’s friends. This discovery ignited her love affair with the game, leading to her remarkable achievements and recognition in the chess community.
Bodhana Sivanandan’s story serves as an inspiration and a testament to the potential that can be unearthed in the most unexpected places, showcasing the power of talent and determination at a young age.