BIG BREAKING : Chess Prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan Becomes UK’s No. 1 Female Player; Receives High Praise from Rishi Sunak

File Image from Rishi Sunak's Social Media

NEWS DERBY, April 02 2026, LONDON – Eleven-year-old chess sensation Bodhana Sivanandan has officially made history by becoming the top-ranked female chess player in the United Kingdom. According to the latest FIDE rankings released in April 2026, the primary school student from Harrow has surged to a career-high rating of 2,366, making her the youngest player ever to hold the British No. 1 spot.

Her ascent follows a series of monumental victories over the past year, including defeating seasoned Grandmasters and former Women’s World Champions. Bodhana is now ranked among the top 100 female players globally, a feat previously unseen for a player of her age.

A Royal Commendation: Rishi Sunak Joins the Celebration

The milestone has drawn national attention, including a high-profile congratulatory message from former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Taking to social media, Mr. Sunak shared a picture of himself playing a match with Bodhana at 10 Downing Street from a previous meeting, praising her "extraordinary talent and determination."

"Huge congratulations to Bodhana Sivanandan on becoming England’s top female chess player at just 11 years old. We once played each other in the Downing Street garden. Let’s just say her success has not come as a shock!"

The Road to Grandmaster

Bodhana’s rise is being compared to some of the greatest prodigies in the history of the game. Having already secured the title of Woman FIDE Master (WFM), she is now closing in on the requirements for the International Master (IM) and Grandmaster (GM) titles.

Despite the intense global spotlight and the pressure of elite competition, Bodhana continues to balance her training with her schoolwork. Her coaches and the English Chess Federation (ECF) believe she is on a clear trajectory to break the record for the youngest-ever Grandmaster, currently held at age 12.

As she prepares for her next major international tournament in Spain, Bodhana remains a symbol of the growing popularity of chess among young girls in Britain, proving that age is no barrier to reaching the pinnacle of the sport.