11-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan makes British chess history

11-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan

LONDON, Aug 18: Eleven-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan has made history after becoming the youngest-ever winner of the British Women’s Chess Championship.

The English chess prodigy secured the 2026 title at the British Chess Championship, which concluded on August 9 at the University of Warwick in Coventry, after beating Trisha Kanyamarala in a rapid playoff.

Sivanandan’s triumph marked a major milestone in her rapidly rising career while also rewriting the record books of a championship that dates back more than 100 years.

At just 11, she became the youngest player to win the British women’s title outright. The previous record was held by Eileen Pritchard, who won in 1939 at 13. Akshaya Kalaiyalahan had shared the title in 2013 just days before her 12th birthday.

Sivanandan faced a strong field of older and more experienced competitors throughout the tournament. She suffered only one defeat, against Shreyas Royal, who later captured the British Open title.

Among her standout performances was a victory over Grandmaster Amit Ghasi, further highlighting the teenager’s exceptional potential.

The historic title adds another achievement to Sivanandan’s remarkable rise and establishes her as one of the brightest young talents in British chess.