How Indian-origin Bodhana Sivanandan is inspiring a generation and boosting chess in England

Far away from the land where her father was born, 11-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan is making an era-defining impact in English chess, rewriting records at an age when most children are still discovering the game.

Born to Sivanandan Velayutham, who migrated to England from Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu, Bodhana’s journey into chess began in the most unexpected way during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. She was just five years old when a simple moment at home introduced her to the game that would soon transform her into one of Britain’s most exciting young sporting talents.

One of her father’s friends was returning to India and left behind a few toys and books for the family. Among them was a chessboard.

Just six years later, the young prodigy has achieved something almost unimaginable — becoming Britain’s No 1 female chess player at just 11 years of age.

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For the English Chess Federation, the achievement is historic.

“Well, it's fantastic news. We're pleased," England Chess Federation CEO Richard Walsh told Firstpost in an interview. "I think she's 40th overall for all genders. So for that age, that's an incredible achievement.”

Bodhana’s achievements have come thick and fast in a remarkably short career.

In 2024, she was selected to represent the England women’s team at the Chess Olympiad in Hungary, making her widely believed to be the youngest person ever to represent England internationally in any sport.

In 2025, she defeated 60-year-old Grandmaster Peter Wells at the British Chess Championships in Liverpool, becoming the youngest woman ever to beat a Grandmaster. She has also become the youngest player to earn the Woman International Master (WIM) title, another milestone that underlines the scale of her rise.

“She’s also the youngest woman ever to beat a Grandmaster and she's got a Women's International Master title as well now. And you know, she's only going from strength to strength,” Walsh added.

Bodhana’s impact on English chess

But beyond her personal achievements, Walsh believes Bodhana’s emergence is also having a wider impact on chess across England.

“She is also wonderful for us in terms of encouraging chess in general. I mean, we've had a boom in chess in this country. I think most parts of the world have, but certainly in England and Britain generally, we've had a huge boom and it is probably the most diverse sport there is.”

“And it's great to see someone coming up like her. It will benefit the sport. We are a very multicultural society and great to see her making that progress.”

For Walsh, Bodhana’s success is also particularly significant for girls in chess, a demographic that federations across the world are trying to encourage.

“Also, the fact that she's achieved this will have a huge impact on women's chess and girls' chess in England as well, because people will be like, if she can do it, I can do it. And so it will be hugely influential.”

Bodhana Sivanandan is the youngest chess player to earn the Woman International Master title. Image: Ifemuyiwa Olayinka/English Chess Federation

He added that the resurgence of chess in schools has also played an important role in expanding the game’s reach and in Harrow Primary School student Bodhana’s rise.

“Chess in primary schools in this country has sort of dropped away a bit, but now it's really, really popular.

“We were working with an organization called CSC (Chess in Schools and Communities), and they're a charity. They provide tutoring in primary schools. More and more girls are now playing chess, which is great, increasing the diversity of chess in this country and we have players from all different nationalities.”

“So I mean, it's just great news,” the senior English Chess Federation official shared.

'English chess is very diverse'

While Bodhana’s rise has been widely celebrated across the chess world, her success has also reflected the diversity in British chess.

According to Walsh, chess clubs across England increasingly reflect the multicultural character of the country.

“We don't collect that data, but you know, observational data is pretty easy because you can look at the composition in congresses, you can look at the composition in local clubs, particularly those like ours (Lanchasire) that encourage juniors and have grown massively because of it.”

“And we're getting all nationalities. In Lancaster, in a club of about 40 active members, we've probably got about eight nationalities there.”

“We've got British people, we've got Irish people, we've got Asian people, we've got Chinese, and we work with them all. We've got Eastern European people."

“It's very diverse and you can see it in the Congress.”

Walsh also emphasised that Bodhana’s rise is a powerful example of how role models can shape the future of the sport.

“People appreciate role models. It's good news for girls in this country. This is also good news on the diversity front as well. Very important.”

Richard Walsh took over as English Chess Federation's CEO in October 2025. Image: Richard Walsh

However, the story of Bodhana’s success has also exposed the darker side of online discourse.

After social media posts celebrated her becoming England’s No 1 female chess player, some comments questioned her background. That's something Walsh has dismissed in the strongest possible terms.

“Yeah, I've no time for it whatsoever. Absolutely no time for it,” he said. “We are a diverse organisation and we're a multicultural society. As far as the English Chess Federation is concerned, we want to keep it that way and we're fully supportive.”

“And I personally, I'm very committed to that point. I have absolutely no time for these people whatsoever.”

At just 11 years old, Bodhana Sivanandan has already become more than just a prodigy. She represents the changing face of chess in England — a sport growing rapidly, becoming more diverse and increasingly inspiring the next generation.

And if her remarkable rise continues, the Indian-origin chess talent may soon find herself not just leading England’s women’s rankings, but reshaping the future of the game itself.