The self-taught prodigy chasing a full grandmaster title aged 11

• Eleven-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan from Harrow has become the youngest player in history to qualify for the woman grandmaster title.
• She fulfilled her third and final qualifier while representing England at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
• The previous record was set by Kateryna Lagno in 2002, who achieved the title at the age of 12.
• Sivanandan taught herself chess during the Covid-19 lockdowns using YouTube tutorials and is now aiming for a full grandmaster title.
• Former chancellor Rachel Reeves wrote on X: “Huge congratulations Bodhana – a chess superstar and just 11 years old. So pleased to see you continue to progress.”

IN FULL

British chess prodigy, 11, becomes youngest woman grandmaster in history