NINE-YEAR-OLD CHESS PRODIGY SIVANANDAN TO BECOME YOUNGEST ENGLAND INTERNATIONAL

Bodhana Sivanandan, a nine-year-old chess prodigy from Harrow, London, has made history by becoming the youngest individual ever chosen to represent England in an international tournament.

Reuters quoted a report by The Guardian newspaper on Tuesday, Sivanandan has been selected for the women's team that will compete in the Chess Olympiad in September.

Born in March 2015, Sivanandan discovered her passion for chess during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Despite her young age, she quickly demonstrated exceptional skill and talent in the game.

In just a year after starting to play, Sivanandan achieved remarkable success, earning silver medals in both rapid and blitz European Under-eight tournaments.

Her achievements continued to mount in the following year, as she rose to become the highest ranked girl in the world in the under-10 age category.

"The maturity of her play and her sublime touch is truly breath-taking," English player and commentator Lawrence Trent posted on X in December 2023.

"I have no doubt she will be England's greatest player and most likely one of the greatest the game has ever seen."