Ten-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan, an Indian-origin British chess sensation, has won the UK Women’s Blitz Championship held in Leamington Spa. Displaying extraordinary maturity and tactical brilliance, she finished with 13.5 points out of 15, securing the top women’s prize against a field packed with experienced competitors.
Dominant Performance in a Strong Field
Sivanandan outplayed several seasoned players, including former champion Elmira Mirzoeva. A pivotal moment came when Mirzoeva blundered a pawn in an otherwise winning rook endgame during a late-round game, handing Bodhana a clear route to clinch the title. The young star’s commanding score placed her well ahead of many senior participants.
A Rising Star in World Chess
This victory adds to Sivanandan’s growing list of achievements. Just last month, she defeated former World Champion Mariya Muzychuk at the European Club Cup in Greece. Earlier in the year, she became the youngest female player to beat a grandmaster, overcoming Peter Wells at the British Chess Championships—a performance that earned her a Women’s Grandmaster (WGM) norm.
From Pandemic Beginner to Global Talent
Born in London in 2015 to parents from Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, Bodhana began learning chess during the pandemic lockdowns. Since then, she has shattered multiple age records. She represented England at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Hungary, becoming the youngest athlete in any sport to represent the country internationally.
Exam-Oriented Facts
- Bodhana scored 13.5/15 to win the UK Women’s Blitz Championship.
- She became the youngest female to beat a grandmaster after defeating Peter Wells.
- She represented England at the 2024 Chess Olympiad at age nine.
- She earned a WGM norm after her victory over Mariya Muzychuk.
A New Generation of English Chess Talent
Sivanandan’s rapid rise places her at the forefront of a promising new wave of English chess talent. Her achievements continue to inspire young players—especially girls—and highlight the growing strength of youth participation in international chess.