Nine-Year-Old Indian-Origin Schoolgirl to Make Chess History for England

Nine-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan, an Indian-origin schoolgirl from London, is making chess history as the youngest person selected to represent England internationally in any sport. She will be joining the England Women’s Team at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, in September, alongside teammates who are much older than her.

Bodhana’s talent for chess was discovered during the pandemic lockdown when she received a chess board as a gift. Since then, she has quickly risen through the ranks and even won the European Blitz Chess Championship in Zagreb, Croatia, last December.

Her remarkable skills have caught the attention of Malcolm Pein, manager of the England chess team, who described her as one of the most remarkable British chess prodigies he has ever seen. Bodhana’s father, Siva Sivanandan, remains mystified about where her talent comes from, as neither he nor his wife are particularly skilled at chess.

The UK government has recently announced a major investment package of GBP 1 million to support the game of chess, including funding for elite players, coaching, training camps, and the installation of new chess tables in public parks. This initiative aims to promote the game, improve visibility, and develop the next generation of world-class talent.

Bodhana’s journey to becoming an international chess player at such a young age is truly inspiring and highlights the importance of nurturing talent and providing opportunities for young players to excel in the sport.