An 11-year-old London schoolgirl, Bodhana Sivanandan, becomes the youngest player in history to earn the Woman Grandmaster (WGM) title in chess. Multiple outlets report that the record is confirmed by FIDE, the sport’s governing body.
Reports describe Sivanandan as a chess prodigy who began playing during the Covid-19 pandemic. One outlet notes practical details about her participation, including that she uses a booster seat during games. Another source frames the achievement in terms of the international contest where the necessary results are reached, describing it as a “fun” event.
While coverage focuses on different angles—such as the timing of her start, the specifics of how she competes, and the nature of the tournament—the core points remain consistent: Sivanandan is 11, she earns the WGM title, and the achievement is presented as a historic milestone in women’s chess records.
