Chess world calls British schoolgirl winning Blitz tournament "phenomenon"

An eight-year-old British schoolgirl, described as a “phenomenon”, won the women’s first prize in the Blitz category at this year’s European Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship in Zagreb, Croatia.

The “super talented” – as the competition described her – Bodhana Sivanandan scored 8.5/13 points in the 13-round Blitz competition, according to CNN, at a tournament that attracted 555 players, including 48 grandmasters (GM) and 50 international masters (IM).

Sivanandan beat one IM and one FIDE Master (FM), Chess.com reported, noting that she finished in 73rd place overall with 8.5 points and scored a rating performance of 2316, ahead of several GMs and masters.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today program, Sivanandan said, “I always try my best to win; sometimes, it happens and, sometimes, it doesn’t.

“I was very proud of myself when I got top girl in the European Blitz.”