Nine-year-old Chess Prodigigy to Represent England Internationally
Nine-Year-Old Chess Prodigy Set to Make History as Youngest Ever to Represent England Internationally
In a remarkable feat of talent and determination, nine-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan is poised to become the youngest person ever to represent England internationally in any sport. Hailing from Harrow, north-west London, Bodhana will join the England Women’s Team at the Chess Olympiad in Hungary later this year, making her almost 15 years younger than her next-youngest teammate, 23-year-old Lan Yao.
“I found out yesterday after I came back from school, when my dad told me,” Bodhana shared with the BBC. “I was happy. I hope I’ll do well, and I’ll get another title.”
Malcolm Pein, manager of the England chess team, expressed his excitement at Bodhana’s potential, calling her the most remarkable prodigy British Chess has ever seen. “It’s exciting – she’s on course to be one of the best British players ever,” he remarked.
Bodhana’s father, Siva, admitted to being mystified by his daughter’s exceptional talent, noting that neither he nor his wife have a background in chess. Bodhana herself only began playing during the pandemic, when a chess board caught her interest among a friend’s possessions.
Since then, Bodhana has honed her skills diligently, practicing for at least an hour every day. Two years ago, she swept all three chess world championships for the under eight age group, showcasing her prowess in classical, rapid, and blitz games.
As she gears up for the Chess Olympiad, Bodhana remains focused on her training regimen, dedicating hours to practice on both school days and weekends. Despite her young age, she is determined to achieve the title of grandmaster, the highest accolade in international chess, at just 10 years old – a goal she aims to accomplish before finishing primary school.
With the surge of interest in chess among young people, fueled in part by the lockdowns and the popularity of Netflix’s “The Queen’s Gambit,” Bodhana represents a new generation of talent in the game. Mr. Pein is confident in her abilities, believing that she has the potential to make history and leave a lasting mark on the world of chess.