Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Bodhana Sivanandan Becomes Youngest Woman Grandmaster in Chess History
Bodhana Sivanandan is an 11-year-old schoolgirl from Harrow, London.
She has become the youngest player ever to earn the Woman Grandmaster chess title.
She achieved this while playing for England at a major chess competition in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Bodhana played all 11 rounds on England’s top board and scored eight points.
She had already reached the rating needed for the title and completed her final qualifying requirement, called a norm.
She also earned another norm toward the higher, gender-open International Master title.
Bodhana first became interested in chess during the COVID-19 lockdown after finding an old chess set.
Her father helped her learn through online tutorials, and she soon began winning tournaments.
She says she wants to keep improving and continue making history.
Eleven-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan earned the Woman Grandmaster title at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Representing England, she played all 11 rounds on the team’s top board and scored eight points.
She completed her third and final WGM norm after already exceeding the required 2,300 rating threshold.
Sivanandan broke Kateryna Lagno’s record and surpassed Hou Yifan, who both earned the WGM title at age 12.
She also earned a second International Master norm and now needs one more norm plus a 2,400 rating to qualify for the IM title.
- Who
- Bodhana Sivanandan, an 11-year-old British-Indian schoolgirl from Harrow, London.
- What
- She became the youngest player in chess history to earn the Woman Grandmaster title.
- When
- During the 46th Chess Olympiad, held from September 15 to 27, 2026; the milestone was reported on September 28.
- Where
- Samarkand, Uzbekistan, while Sivanandan represented England.
- Why
- She completed her third and final WGM norm after meeting the required rating threshold.
- Age
- 11
- Title earned
- Woman Grandmaster
- Olympiad performance
- Played all 11 rounds on England’s top board and scored eight points
- Qualifying achievement
- Earned her third and final WGM norm
- Previous record
- Kateryna Lagno and Hou Yifan earned the WGM title at age 12
- International Master progress
- Earned a second IM norm; three norms and a 2,400 rating are required
- Chess beginnings
- Started playing during the COVID-19 lockdown after finding a chess set
- Notable victory
- Defeated grandmaster Peter Wells at the 2025 British Chess Championships
Sources
11-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan becomes youngest Woman Grandmaster
Who Is Bodhana Sivanandan? 11-Year-Old Chess Prodigy Makes History As Youngest Woman Grandmaster
Who Is Bodhana Sivanandan? 11-Year-Old Indian-Origin Girl Becomes Youngest Woman Grandmaster
Meet Bodhana Sivanandan: 11-year-old Indian-origin British schoolgirl becomes youngest to earn Woman Grandmaster title
