Bodhana Sivanandan has made chess history by becoming the youngest-ever Woman Grandmaster (WGM) at the age of 11. The Indian-origin British chess player achieved the milestone while representing England at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. She secured her third and final WGM norm during the tournament, completing the requirements for the title.

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

Bodhana Sivanandan Creates a Chess Record

Bodhana Sivanandan completed all 11 rounds for England at the Chess Olympiad and finished with eight points. She played on the team’s top board, facing strong international opponents during the event. Her performance also earned her a second International Master (IM) norm, taking her closer to another major title in chess. Official tournament records list her final score as eight points from 11 games, with a performance rating of 2432.

Her WGM achievement broke the previous age record. Russia’s Kateryna Lagno had previously held the record after earning the Woman Grandmaster title at 12 years and four months. China’s Hou Yifan also earned the title at age 12 and later became the youngest woman to achieve the open Grandmaster title.

What Is the Woman Grandmaster Title?

The Woman Grandmaster title is one of the titles awarded by FIDE, the International Chess Federation. It is the highest title in the women’s-only title system. Players must meet FIDE requirements that include achieving the required rating and earning title norms through qualifying performances.

The open Grandmaster title remains a separate title that can be earned by players regardless of gender. Bodhana’s second IM norm at the Samarkand Olympiad is therefore significant because the International Master title belongs to the open title system. She will need to meet the remaining requirements before she can receive that title.

Performance at the 2026 Chess Olympiad

The 46th Chess Olympiad was held in Samarkand from September 15 to 27, 2026. Bodhana played all 11 rounds for England’s women’s team. Her results included wins against several opponents and draws against higher-rated players, while her only loss came against Peru’s Deysi Cori. She finished the tournament with eight points and ranked 19th in the individual standings.

England’s women’s team finished 15th overall, while Bodhana’s performance on the top board added to the attention around her record. The tournament also saw strong performances from several young players, showing the growing depth of international junior chess.

From Lockdown Chess to the World Stage

Bodhana Sivanandan began playing chess during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. Reports say she became interested after receiving a chessboard from a family friend and taught herself the basic moves using online resources. Her progress was rapid, and she soon began competing in organised tournaments.

In 2024, she represented England at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest at just nine years old. She later continued breaking age records in British and international chess. In August 2026, she became Britain’s youngest-ever women’s chess champion at the British Chess Championships in Coventry.

Another Major Milestone Ahead

Bodhana Sivanandan’s progress is now also being followed because of her development in the open title system. At the 2026 Chess Olympiad, she earned her second IM norm in addition to completing her WGM requirements. The International Master title requires three norms and a rating of at least 2400 under the relevant FIDE regulations.

Her recent results also add to a series of records. In 2025, she became the youngest female player to defeat a Grandmaster in a competitive game when she beat Peter Wells at the British Chess Championships. Her rapid rise has made her one of the most closely watched young players in British chess.

At only 11, Bodhana continues to combine school with international chess. Her latest achievement in Samarkand has now placed her name in the record books as the youngest Woman Grandmaster in chess history.