English Chess Forum

Bodhana Sivanandan interview (Chessbase):

https://en.chessbase.com/post/bodhana-s ... rapid-rise

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uhT3dxuqUTw

22 mins. Interviewed by Arne Kaehler in Hamburg for Chessbase Germany.

Some interesting moments mixed with the cringe-worthy moments. No fault of Bodhana, some of the interview questions were slightly odd, IMO, and Kaehler did not really seem to pitch things at the right level (some questions trivial, others too deep).

You will get a flavour of this when I say that the most common reply from Bodhana to questions was "I don't know." Kaehler was also slightly patronising at some points, IMO, but also respectful at other moments. Anyway, see what you think.

I have no idea how it compares to other interviews like this done at a young age by other chess prodigies. Good to see Bodhana didn't go with the obligatory praise of Chessbase when asked how she used it, even with the Chessbase logo right there in the background!

Agreed, Chris, the interviewer was quite inept, such that I could not bear to watch the whole thing.

Perhaps someone should have told him to prepare more thoughtfully, bearing in mind that it is more likely to be harder (not easier) to interview young persons.

It was good to hear Bodhana say that she enjoys school. Leonard B, in a recent Guardian column, pointed to her forthcoming switch to secondary school as something that might impede her meteoric rise. Make of that what you will ...

"Leonard B, in a recent Guardian column, pointed to her forthcoming switch to secondary school as something that might impede her meteoric rise. Make of that what you will ..."

Possibly, that coursework (as they now call homework) will get in the way? School itself will be more intense?

Good luck to her anyway.

Bodhana was interviewed on the ITV News this lunchtime. A composed young lady explained what a learner should try to do: practice and keep playing amongst her thoughts. Interviewed by a beginner/reporter - nothing wrong with that - we saw an Owen's Defence up to about move 2 and a few hesitant replies. And a pleasant end to the programme.
James