After being chosen for the women's squad for the September Chess Olympiad, a nine-year-old girl from Harrow became the youngest person chosen to represent England in an international tournament.

March 2015 baby Budhana Shivanandan didn't start playing chess till after the lockdown.

She took home silver medals from European Under-eight competitions a year later, and this year she broke through as the top-ranked girl under ten in the world.

She is one of five players selected to represent England in the competition in September; the other players are in their 30s and 40s, and the next youngest player is 23.

Sivanandan, who said she wants to become a grandmaster, said: “It’s a great honour and I’m looking forward to being part of a team.”

One of the chess administrators who selected her for the team said she took her place entirely on merit.

Malcolm Pein told the Guardian: “Bodhana’s success at European level includes victories over many established players, and her fearless style of play and immense focus on the board has already caused a sensation in the chess world.

“At nine years of age, she must surely be the youngest to be selected to represent England in any international sporting competition.”

English player and commentator Lawrence Trent wrote on X: “The maturity of her play and her sublime touch is truly breath-taking.

“I have no doubt she will be England’s greatest player and most likely one of the greatest the game has ever seen.”

Chess fans will get the chance to test theit skills against her when she attends ChessFest 2024 in Trafalgar Square on Sunday.