Youngest Woman Chess Grandmaster
An 11-year-old British schoolgirl has made chess history by becoming the youngest player to qualify for the title of Woman Grandmaster. Bodhana Sivanandan, from Harrow in northwest London, earned the prestigious title while representing England at the Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan. She broke a record that had stood since 2002, when Kateryna Lagno achieved the feat at age 12. Sivanandan first discovered chess during the COVID lockdowns after finding an old chess set her father was planning to throw away and teaching herself the rules through YouTube videos. Since then, she has continued to break barriers in the sport, becoming the youngest British Women’s Champion and earning an International Master norm at a record-breaking age. Rather than slowing down after her latest achievement, Sivanandan hopes to continue improving her game, competing at the highest levels, and making even more chess history in the years ahead.
Image via FIDE
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