Chess star, 9, makes history as she is selected to represent England

A nine-year-old girl from Harrow has become the youngest person selected to represent England in an international competition after being named in the women’s team for September’s Chess Olympiad.

Bodhana Sivanandan, who was born in March 2015, only took up chess during lockdown.

A year later, she won silver medals in rapid and blitz European Under-eight tournaments, and this year she became the world’s highest ranked girl aged under 10.

She is one of five players chosen for England’s women’s team to play in the competition in September with the next youngest player aged 23 and other team members in their 30s and 40s.

Sivanandan, who said she wants to become a grandmaster, said: “It’s a great honour and I’m looking forward to being part of a team.”

One of the chess administrators who selected her for the team said she took her place entirely on merit.

Malcolm Pein told the Guardian: “Bodhana’s success at European level includes victories over many established players, and her fearless style of play and immense focus on the board has already caused a sensation in the chess world.

“At nine years of age, she must surely be the youngest to be selected to represent England in any international sporting competition.”

English player and commentator Lawrence Trent wrote on X: “The maturity of her play and her sublime touch is truly breath-taking.

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

Chess fans will get the chance to test theit skills against her when she attends ChessFest 2024 in Trafalgar Square on Sunday.