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11-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan becomes youngest female chess grandmaster

Indian chess prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan has set a new Guinness World Record by becoming the youngest woman to achieve the grandmaster title at just 11 years old. The milestone marks her third Guinness World Record.

LSN India · 4 October 2026

Bodhana Sivanandan, an 11-year-old chess player from India, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the youngest woman ever to attain the prestigious grandmaster title, earning her a place in the Guinness World Records.

The young chess prodigy's latest accomplishment adds to an already impressive portfolio of record-breaking achievements. This is Bodhana's third Guinness World Record title, underscoring her exceptional trajectory in the competitive world of chess at an extraordinarily young age.

The grandmaster title represents one of chess's most elite designations, typically awarded to players who demonstrate exceptional skill, strategic acumen, and consistent performance at the highest levels of international competition. Bodhana's achievement at age 11 surpasses previous records held by female players, cementing her position as one of the most promising chess talents to emerge from India.

Her record-breaking performances reflect years of dedicated training and an exceptional aptitude for the game. The achievement has drawn attention to India's growing presence in elite international chess competitions and highlights the country's emerging generation of world-class players.

Bodhana's milestones continue to inspire younger players across India and demonstrate the potential for exceptional achievement in chess at increasingly younger ages.