Indian-Origin Schoolgirl Becomes Youngest Chess Prodigy on England's National Team

Photo : PTI

Bodhana Sivanandan, a nine-year-old chess prodigy from Harrow, northwest London, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the youngest person ever selected to represent England in any sport internationally. This September, she is set to compete with the England Women’s Team at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, an impressive feat considering her teammates are significantly older, ranging from their 20s to 40s.

Her journey to the national team began quite unexpectedly. During the pandemic lockdown, Bodhana was given a chess board by a family friend returning to India, sparking her interest in the game. Her curiosity about the chess pieces led her to start playing, a decision that marked the beginning of her rapid ascent in the chess world. By December of the previous year, she had already clinched the European Blitz Chess Championship in Zagreb, Croatia, earning high praise for her talent.

Bodhana's selection is not just a personal triumph but also a reflection of her potential to become one of Britain's best players. Malcolm Pein, manager of the England chess team, has described her as one of the most remarkable prodigies in British chess history, expressing excitement over her promising future in the sport.

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Her father, Siva Sivanandan, an engineering graduate, expressed his amazement at his daughter’s natural aptitude for chess, noting that it was unexpected given that neither parent is particularly skilled at the game.

Bodhana's achievements have already caught the attention of significant figures, including British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Following her European championship win, she was among a select group of young chess enthusiasts invited to 10 Downing Street. This event coincided with the announcement of a major new £1 million government investment in chess, aimed at enhancing the game's visibility and accessibility, particularly in disadvantaged areas.

The funding initiative, spearheaded by the UK's Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), aims to develop world-class talent and promote chess at the grassroots level. As part of this effort, the English Chess Federation will receive £500,000 over two years for coaching, training camps, and computer analysis for international events. Additionally, £250,000 will be allocated to install 100 new chess tables in public parks and outdoor areas across England.

Moreover, the government has laid out plans to engage more primary school children, especially girls, in chess. The Department for Education is offering grants to schools in disadvantaged areas to encourage the learning and playing of chess, further aiming to build problem-solving skills and combat loneliness.

Bodhana's remarkable rise in the world of chess, supported by her family and the broader community, is not just a story of individual talent but also an illustration of how strategic investment and community support can foster exceptional abilities in young individuals.