Indian-Origin Chess Prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan Becomes Youngest Woman Grandmaster

By  News On Air   Sep 28, 2026

Indian-origin chess prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan has created history by becoming the youngest Woman Grandmaster. The 11-year-old, who represents England, achieved the milestone at the 46th Chess Olympiad which concluded yesterday at Samarkand in Uzbekistan. Bodhana played all 11 rounds on England’s top board and finished the tournament with eight points.

Her performance also earned her a second International Master (IM) norm, which takes her another step closer to becoming an international master. Bodhana first discovered chess during the COVID-19 lockdown and has since gone on to break several records. Last month, she became Britain’s youngest-ever Women’s Chess Champion at the 2026 British Chess Championships. The London schoolgirl says she wants to continue playing and making history in the game.