Bodhana Sivanandan, an 11-year-old chess player from north London, made history this past weekend by becoming the youngest person to ever earn the title of woman grandmaster. The achievement occurred during the Chess Olympiad held in Uzbekistan. During her matches, Sivanandan notably used a car booster seat to reach the board, a detail that highlighted her youth in contrast to the high level of competition she faced.

Following her performance at the international event, Sivanandan returned to her daily life in the United Kingdom. By Tuesday morning, she was back in her classroom attending a design and technology lesson. Sivanandan has expressed that she is accustomed to the routine of traveling for professional tournaments and immediately returning to her academic responsibilities. She describes her motivation for playing as a personal interest, stating, "I do it because I like it."

Her success marks a significant milestone in competitive chess, as she balances the demands of being an international prodigy with the typical experiences of a student starting her first term of secondary school. While the achievement is a major sporting milestone, the focus remains on her ability to manage these dual roles without significant disruption to her childhood.