A 10-year-old British girl, Bodhana Sivanandan, has made chess history by becoming the youngest female player to defeat a grandmaster. The feat occurred last Sunday during the final round of the 2025 British Chess Championship in Liverpool. At 10 years, five months, and three days old, she defeated 60-year-old grandmaster Peter Wells, breaking the record previously set by American Carissa Yip in 2019. Bodhana, of Indian origin and residing in Harrow, northwest London, earned the title of woman international master, one step below the female-exclusive woman grandmaster title. The achievement, according to the International Chess Federation (FIDE), marks a historic moment for the sport, highlighting the young prodigy’s remarkable talent.
Bodhana’s victory was not just a milestone of achievement but also a reflection of her rapid rise in the chess world. She began playing at five years old during the Covid-19 pandemic when a family friend gifted them a chessboard. Initially drawn to the pieces as toys, she was encouraged by her father to learn the game, sparking a passion that led her to international competitions.
- Historic feat: Bodhana surpassed Carissa Yip’s record by about six months.
- Early start: She began playing chess at five, with no family background in the sport.
- Recognition: FIDE hailed the victory as a milestone for women’s chess.
The impact of Bodhana’s achievement resonates beyond the UK, inspiring young players worldwide. Her journey, marked by dedication and natural talent, positions her as a promising figure for the future of chess.
Bodhana’s meteoric rise
At just 10 years old, Bodhana Sivanandan has already amassed impressive achievements in chess. Her journey began unassumingly during the pandemic lockdown when she discovered the game by chance. What started as childish curiosity quickly turned into exceptional skill, recognized by masters and experts. In 2023, at eight years old, she won the best female player title at the European Rapid Chess Championship in Croatia. The following year, she became the youngest person to represent England in international competitions, joining the women’s team at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest.
- First steps: Bodhana learned chess at five, with no family influence in the game.
- European success: She won as the best female player in a blitz tournament at eight.
- Historic representation: She was the youngest to play for England at the 2024 Olympiad.
Bodhana’s talent has not gone unnoticed. Malcolm Pein, an international master and manager of an organization promoting chess in schools, described her as one of the sport’s greatest prospects, praising her composure and strategic ability.
A milestone for women’s chess
Bodhana’s victory at the 2025 British Championship is not only a personal record but a significant step forward for women’s chess. Historically male-dominated, the sport has seen growing female participation, especially in youth categories. The young girl’s achievement underscores the importance of nurturing female talent from an early age. FIDE celebrated the feat, noting that Bodhana’s victory at 10 years, five months, and three days surpassed Carissa Yip’s previous record, set in 2019 when the American was 10 years, 11 months, and 20 days old.
The title of woman international master, earned by Bodhana, is a testament to her technical skill. This title is the second highest among female-exclusive categories, just below woman grandmaster. To achieve grandmaster status, Bodhana will need to meet a series of FIDE requirements, including consistent victories in high-level tournaments.
How Bodhana defeated the grandmaster
The match against Peter Wells, a seasoned 60-year-old grandmaster, was a defining test for Bodhana. Held in the final round of the British Championship, she demonstrated a blend of patience and aggressive strategy, qualities rare for her age. While specific details of the match were not widely shared, experts note that her ability to remain composed under pressure was key to her victory.
- Solid strategy: Bodhana combined defensive tactics with precise attacks.
- Experienced opponent: Peter Wells is a grandmaster with decades of experience.
- Controlled pressure: The young girl stayed calm at a critical tournament moment.
- Immediate recognition: FIDE announced the record shortly after the match.
The victory not only secured the record but also cemented Bodhana’s reputation as a player capable of competing with the world’s best, regardless of age or gender.
Family support and inspiration
Bodhana’s story is also shaped by the support of her family, who, despite having no chess background, encouraged her development. Her father, an engineer with no experience in the game, taught her the basic rules. Initially seeing the chessboard as a toy, Bodhana found in chess a form of expression and learning. In interviews, she noted that the game helps her in other areas, such as mathematics and problem-solving, highlighting the cognitive benefits of chess.
Beyond family support, Bodhana has been propelled by initiatives promoting chess in British schools. Programs like the one led by Malcolm Pein have played a crucial role in identifying and nurturing young talent. She was also recognized by public figures, such as former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who invited her to an event at Downing Street in 2024 to celebrate investments in chess.
- Family encouragement: Bodhana’s father taught her to play despite being a novice.
- Chess benefits: She credits the game with improving her skills in math and logic.
- Institutional support: School and government programs boosted her journey.
Bodhana’s promising future
At just 10 years old, Bodhana is already seen as a potential world champion. Experts believe she has the talent and dedication needed to achieve the grandmaster title, a feat that would place her among chess’s greatest legends. Her participation in international tournaments, like the 2024 Chess Olympiad, showed she can already compete at a high level, facing much older and more experienced opponents.
She also inspires a new generation of players, particularly girls, in a sport where female representation still faces barriers. Her story is a reminder that talent can emerge anywhere, even without a family tradition or extensive resources. Bodhana continues to train with a focus on new challenges, aiming to become a grandmaster and, perhaps, a world champion.
- Clear goal: Bodhana aims to achieve the grandmaster title in the coming years.
- Global inspiration: Her story motivates young players, especially girls.
- Competitiveness: She already faces high-level opponents in international tournaments.
Repercussion and legacy
Bodhana’s achievement sparked a wave of excitement on social media and within the chess community. Users on digital platforms praised her skill and expressed optimism about her future. Comments highlighted her ability to compete with elite players at 10 years old, comparing her to prodigies like India’s Praggnanandhaa and Germany’s Vincent Keymer, who also defeated grandmasters at young ages.
Her feat also underscores the growing popularity of chess among young people, fueled by digital platforms and online tournaments. Recognized as a sport by the International Olympic Committee, chess has gained increasing attention, especially following the success of prodigies like Bodhana and Ashwath Kaushik, an eight-year-old who, in 2024, became the youngest to defeat a grandmaster.
- Online reaction: Users celebrated the feat, predicting a bright future for Bodhana.
- Chess popularity: The sport gains momentum with the rise of young talents.
- Prodigy comparison: Bodhana is likened to names like Praggnanandhaa.
