11-Year-Old Bodhana Sivanandan Becomes Youngest Woman Grandmaster in Chess History

British chess prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan has made history at just 11 years old, becoming the youngest player ever to fulfill the requirements for the Woman Grandmaster title.

Bodhana Sivanandan, an 11-year-old chess player from northwest London, has reached another major milestone in her rapidly developing career after securing the requirements for the Woman Grandmaster (WGM) title at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Representing England at the tournament, Sivanandan earned her third and final WGM norm, completing the requirements for the prestigious title. FIDE confirmed the achievement during the Olympiad, which ran from September 16 to 27. 

‘I Want to Keep Making History’

Speaking in an interview released by FIDE, Sivanandan said she was pleased with the achievement but was already thinking about what comes next.

“I’m happy to do it, but I want to keep going and keep making history as well.”

The young player also said she did not feel overwhelmed by the pressure of competing on a top board during the Olympiad.

Instead, she said her focus was simply on enjoying the experience.

For Sivanandan, the tournament was her second Chess Olympiad. She made her debut at the previous Olympiad in Budapest when she was just nine years old. 

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A Remarkable Rise in Chess

Sivanandan has established several records at an exceptionally young age.

Earlier in 2026, FIDE highlighted her as one of the leading young talents heading into the Olympiad. She had already become Britain’s youngest-ever women’s chess champion and had previously set records for her age in international chess. 

In August 2025, she became the youngest girl ever to defeat a grandmaster, beating 60-year-old Pete Wells when she was 10 years, five months and three days old, according to the report provided by FIDE and other chess coverage.

She had also previously become the youngest girl to earn an International Master norm, another major milestone in her career.

How Bodhana Discovered Chess

Sivanandan began playing chess during the COVID-19 pandemic when she was five years old.

She told the BBC that her interest started after a family friend gave her family a collection of toys and books. Among them was a chessboard, which immediately caught her attention.

She initially wanted to use the pieces as toys, but her father introduced her to the actual game.

From there, her interest in chess developed rapidly.

Sivanandan has also said that she enjoys the travel associated with playing chess and believes the game has helped her with school because it connects with several academic subjects.

Looking Beyond the Record

Despite making history at just 11, Sivanandan appears focused on continuing to develop rather than simply celebrating her latest achievement.

Her performance in Samarkand has added another remarkable chapter to a chess career that has already produced multiple age records.

With the Woman Grandmaster requirements now completed, the young English player says she wants to keep improving and continue making history in the sport.