Now Bodhana Sivanandan, from Harrow, north-west London, is set to be the youngest person to represent England in international sporting competition.
Sivanandan, who only took up chess in lockdown, is one of five players chosen to play for England's women's team in the Chess Olympiad in Budapest in September. The next youngest, Lan Yao, is 23, while the other members of the team, Jovanka Houska, Harriet Hunt and Katarzyna Toma, are in their 30s and 40s.
"I'm so pleased to be picked for England," said Sivanandan, who has set her sights on becoming a grandmaster and winning the women's world title. "It's a great honour and I'm looking forward to being part of a team."
One of the selectors, Malcolm Pein, told the Guardian Sivanandan's spot was entirely justified. "Bodhana's success at European level includes victories over many established players, and her fearless style of play and immense focus on the board have already caused a sensation in the chess world," he said.
Denne historien er fra July 03, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Denne historien er fra July 03, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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