By Blessing Nweke
Eight-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan, hailing from Harrow, north-west London, has emerged victorious as the best female player at the European blitz chess championships held in Croatia. With a remarkable score of 8.5/13, Bodhana surpassed seasoned professionals, including an international master, and even managed to secure a draw with a grandmaster.
Bodhana’s exceptional performance has garnered widespread acclaim within the chess community. Stephen Woodhouse, Chair of the board at the English Chess Federation (ECF), highlighted the intensity of blitz chess, where players are constrained to a rapid time control, ranging from three to five minutes on their clocks for each move.
“I always try my best to win; sometimes it happens, and sometimes it doesn’t,” shared the young chess prodigy, who started playing at the tender age of five. Her poise and confidence were evident as she expressed pride in her weekend-long display of strategic prowess.
The tournament featured formidable opponents, including grandmasters, the highest title bestowed upon the world’s strongest players, international masters, and seasoned experts. Bodhana’s triumph, marked by defeating an international master and holding her ground against a grandmaster, has been hailed as “unbelievable” by those within the chess community.
The chess world swiftly showered praise on Bodhana’s extraordinary achievement. Romanian International Master Irina Bulmaga, whom Bodhana outperformed, expressed awe at the result, labeling the young prodigy a “phenomenon.” British International Master and commentator Lawrence Trent went even further, describing Bodhana as “one of the greatest talents” he has witnessed in recent memory.
“The maturity of her play, her sublime touch, it’s truly breathtaking,” commented Mr. Trent, expressing confidence that Bodhana has the potential to become England’s greatest player and possibly one of the game’s all-time greats.
As the news of Bodhana’s triumph spread, the chess community resonated with excitement and admiration for the eight-year-old prodigy. Her ability to compete at such a high level against seasoned professionals at such a young age has sparked discussions about the future trajectory of her chess career.
Bodhana’s success not only highlights her individual talent but also serves as an inspiration to aspiring young chess players. Her dedication and fearlessness in the face of formidable opponents demonstrate the limitless possibilities within the realm of chess, transcending age and conventional expectations.
In the wake of this historic achievement, the chess community eagerly anticipates Bodhana Sivanandan’s continued journey, wondering what milestones she will set next and how far her remarkable talent will take her in the world of chess.
