8-Year-Old British Chess Prodigy Sparks Government Investment

Bodhana Sivanandan, an eight-year-old from Harrow in north-west London, has emerged as the top female player in the European Blitz Chess Championship in Zagreb, Croatia. During the weekend event, the precocious prodigy demonstrated her skill by defeating foreign opponents, including an international master.

Bodhana's incredible chess career began during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, and her hard work has finally earned her the title of best female player at the famous European event. The European Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships praised her outstanding performance, noting that she earned 8.5/13 points and 211.2 blitz ELO points.

Professionals have praised the young chess phenom on social media, calling her "unbelievable" talents. Siva Sivanandan, Bodhana's father, expressed his pride, noting that his daughter's hard work had paid off.

Bodhana's accomplishment follows the British government's dedication to chess development. Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, has launched a GBP 1 million investment plan for the game, with the goal of supporting schools in underprivileged regions, increasing the awareness of chess, and funding elite play.

The Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) will spend GBP 500,000 in the English Chess Federation (ECF) over two years as part of this program, with an emphasis on developing the next generation of chess talent. In addition, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) will invest GBP 250,000 in the installation of 100 new chess tables in public locations across England, promoting community participation and problem-solving abilities.

The Department for Education has also promised funding of up to GBP 2,000 to at least 100 primary schools in underprivileged regions in order to encourage more youngsters, particularly females, to play chess. UK Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer stressed the government's commitment to giving young people chances to discover and develop their abilities.