UK
British-Indian Prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan Storms to Top of UK Chess Rankings: British-Indian chess sensation Bodhana Sivanandan has taken the chess world by storm, rising to the first position among English female players following a remarkable start to 2026, according to the English Chess Federation.
At just 11 years old, the North London schoolgirl has climbed to the number one spot among English women and now ranks 72nd in the world, marking her first entry into the global top 100 in the women’s rankings published by FIDE.
In the latest April rankings, Sivanandan overtook four-time British Women’s Champion Lan Yao, signaling a generational shift in English chess. Her current FIDE rating stands at an impressive 2366, boosted by strong performances in tournaments across France, Austria, and the prestigious 4NCL in Coventry.
Sivanandan’s meteoric rise began during the COVID-19 lockdown, when she discovered a discarded chess set at home—an unlikely beginning for what is now one of the most exciting careers in global chess. Within a few short years, she has shattered records and expectations.
In 2025, at the British Chess Championships in Liverpool, she made history by becoming the youngest female player ever to defeat a grandmaster, overcoming seasoned veteran Peter Wells in a dramatic final round. During the same tournament, she also became the youngest player ever to secure a Women Grandmaster (WGM) norm.
Her achievements extend beyond individual milestones. In 2024, she became the youngest person ever to represent England internationally in any sport when she was selected for the national women’s team at the Chess Olympiad in Hungary.
Sivanandan is part of a new wave of rising English chess talent, alongside prodigies such as Shreyas Royal, the country’s youngest grandmaster at 17, and Supratit Banerjee, a 12-year-old FIDE Master already making headlines.
Praising her extraordinary ascent, Richard Walsh, CEO of the English Chess Federation, said: “As a federation representing a country with such a rich chess heritage, we could not be prouder of Bodhana’s achievements.
“She is blazing a trail not just for women and girls in the game, but for all chess players in England. Across all sports, she must be one of the most prodigious talents the country has ever produced.
“We cannot wait to see what she can do in her career. Bodhana has worked incredibly hard, her family has supported her every step of the way, and now she is competing at the highest level, flying the flag for England.”
With her fearless style, rapid rise, and record-breaking performances, Sivanandan’s journey is only just beginning. If her current trajectory continues, many believe it is only a matter of time before her story reaches an even wider audience—perhaps even the subject of a future documentary.
