British-Indian chess prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan recognised by Guinness World Records as youngest Woman Grandmaster

By  News On Air   Oct 02, 2026

British-Indian chess prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the youngest chess player to achieve the Woman Grandmaster (WGM) title. The 11-year-old London schoolgirl made history at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, becoming the youngest player ever to earn the coveted WGM title.

The achievement gives Bodhana three Guinness World Records titles. Her earlier records include being the youngest chess Woman International Master and the youngest female player to defeat a grandmaster in a chess tournament.

Bodhana said the recognition is a huge honour and a morale boost, motivating her to continue improving and achieve more. Her journey into chess began at the age of five years and eight months, after she developed a fascination with the knight chess piece. She went on to win competitions by the age of six.

Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday described Bodhana’s story as an inspiring example of how childhood curiosity and passion can lead to extraordinary achievements.