Bodhana Sivanandan, an 11-year-old schoolgirl from London, has become the youngest woman grandmaster in chess history after competing at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. She achieved this remarkable milestone by earning her third qualifying 'norm' after scoring eight points across 11 games against elite-level competitors. The achievement surpasses the previous record held by Kateryna Lagno, who was 12 years old when she attained the title in 2002, and has already garnered congratulations from prominent figures including former Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Ms Sivanandan discovered chess during the pandemic when she found a chessboard in discarded items left by a family friend in her Harrow home, learning the basics from her father and later via YouTube tutorials. Earlier this summer, she became Britain's youngest-ever Women's Chess Champion by defeating Ireland's Trisha Kanyamarala in a playoff, breaking a record set in 1939. Described as a "generational talent" by commentators, experts predict she may become Britain's greatest ever player, despite still needing to progress to international master status before attempting the full grandmaster title. In addition to chess, she balances her achievements with violin and piano studies alongside her academic work.