The Rise of Bodhana Sivanandan: A Young Chess Prodigy’s Journey to the Top

Bodhana Sivanandan's Exceptional Performance

A remarkable performance by ten‑year‑old Bodhana Sivanandan from Harrow in north‑west London saw her sweep through the UK Women’s Blitz Championship in Royal Leamington Spa, winning eight games in a row against far more experienced adult female players. Her dominance earned her a spot among the top 50 women in the world for blitz chess, marking a significant milestone for youth in chess.

Key Achievements

• Bodhana secured eight consecutive wins at the UK Women’s Blitz Championship.
• She now ranks among the top 50 female blitz players globally.
• Earlier this year, she became the youngest person ever to earn the Woman International Master (WIM) title—the second‑highest ranking in women’s chess.
• At age nine, she became the youngest individual ever to represent England internationally in any sport.
• Her ambition: to become the youngest Grandmaster in history, a record currently held at age 12.

What Makes Her Stand Out

Chess experts describe Bodhana as a “generational talent with no equivalent in any other sport,” highlighting both her achievement and young age. Her own words reveal her mindset: “I don’t mind who I compete against, I only care about the game.” Her father, Siva, noted her determination and the family’s support for her efforts. Bodhana also credits chess with helping her in maths, art, and music at school, showing a broader developmental impact beyond the chess board.

Understanding Blitz Chess

“Blitz” is a speed chess format in which each game lasts no more than ten minutes per side. Success in blitz requires:

• Rapid calculation and decision‑making
• Strong pattern recognition
• High nerve under time pressure
• Excellent end‑game awareness

For a ten‑year‑old to outperform adult national‑level competitors in this format is exceptionally rare and noteworthy.