Bodhana Sivanandan, an 11-year-old British-Indian chess player, has achieved yet another remarkable milestone as she has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the youngest female to obtain the Woman Grandmaster (WGM) title. This accolade was awarded following her impressive performance at the 46th Chess Olympiad held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, last week. With this latest honor, Bodhana now holds three Guinness World Records, having previously set two records at the age of 10.
Her earlier accomplishments include becoming the youngest player to earn the title of Woman International Master and the youngest female to defeat a grandmaster in a chess tournament. Guinness World Records noted that Bodhana’s recent achievement occurred after the publication of the 2027 edition, meaning it will not appear in this year’s record book, though her previous titles are included.
While Bodhana has already received certificates for her first two records, she is still awaiting the certificate for her latest achievement. The announcement of her new title has been met with widespread acclaim on social media, with many users applauding her success and recognizing the support she receives from her family and coaches.
One commenter highlighted the life lessons chess imparts, stating, “At eleven years old and already holding a title, Bodhana exemplifies how chess teaches patience and strategic thinking. Congratulations to her and her family.”
Another user expressed admiration for her accomplishment, crediting her trainers and parents for their invaluable guidance and encouragement throughout her journey.
Hailing from a family with roots in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, Bodhana’s father, Sivanandan Velayutham, works in the IT field and relocated to London with his family in 2007. Born and raised in London, Bodhana has quickly risen to prominence in the UK chess scene.
Her exceptional talent led her to a visit to 10 Downing Street in August 2023, where she was invited by then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who was set to announce a financial initiative to support chess in the UK.
Interestingly, her journey into chess was not premeditated by her family. In an interview, her father recounted, “Bodhana began playing chess at the age of five. We had no intention of making her a chess player; she simply discovered a chessboard at home and took an interest in it.”
Despite her dedication to chess, Bodhana’s life is not solely focused on the game. Her parents prioritize her education, and she has also pursued lessons in piano and violin over the past couple of years. Nonetheless, chess remains her passion. “I prefer chess to playing the piano and violin because, in chess, there is always room for improvement,” she shared.
