Bodhana Sivanandan qualifies for Woman Grandmaster at 11

Bodhana Sivanandan, an 11-year-old representing England, has qualified for the Woman Grandmaster title after completing her third and final qualifying norm at the 2026 Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The International Chess Federation, known as FIDE, confirmed she is the youngest player to qualify for the title, breaking a record previously held by Kateryna Lagno, who earned it at age 12. Sivanandan played on England’s top board during the tournament, which ended September 27. Reports say she scored eight points over 11 games. The qualifying norm completed the requirements for the women-only title, which is held for life. The reports attribute confirmation of her record to FIDE, but do not include the underlying official title record or documentation of the norm calculation. In comments to FIDE after the tournament, Sivanandan said she wanted to continue progressing and making history rather than stop after the achievement. She also described enjoying chess and the travel associated with competitions, and said the game connects with subjects she studies at school.