Bodhana Sivanandan, a 10-year-old chess sensation of Indian origin from Harrow, north-west London, has shattered records and stunned the chess world, becoming the youngest female ever to defeat a Grandmaster, while also earning the Woman International Master (WIM) title.
As reported by the International Chess Federation, she achieved this remarkable feat at just 10 years, five months, and three days old, surpassing the previous record set by American Carissa Yip, who was almost seven months older when she secured her first Grandmaster win.
Historic Victory in Liverpool
The record-breaking moment came on August 10, 2025, in the tense final round of the British Chess Championships in Liverpool. Bodhana faced 60-year-old English Grandmaster Peter Wells, who appeared in control early on. However, on move 39, Wells faltered, and Bodhana seized the opportunity. With the maturity of a seasoned professional, she launched a decisive rook attack that trapped her opponent, forcing resignation moments later.
This victory not only set a new benchmark but also secured the final performance norm she needed for the WIM title, the second-highest title for women in chess, while earning her first norm toward the coveted Woman Grandmaster (WGM) title.
Praise from the Chess Community
“She plays with a calmness and maturity far beyond her years,” said Tim Wall, Director of Junior Chess at the English Chess Federation. “Her work ethic is exceptional, and her potential is sky-high.”
Journey from a Pandemic Hobby to International Fame
Bodhana’s chess journey began unexpectedly at the age of five during the COVID-19 pandemic, when a family friend from India gifted her a chess set. Initially treating the pieces as toys, her curiosity soon drew her into the intricacies of the game. Neither of her parents, both engineers and casual players at best, could have foreseen what followed. Encouraged by online play on platforms like Chess.com, she quickly began dominating junior circuits.
By 2023, she became the first English player in 25 years to win a World Youth Chess Championship, claiming triple gold with a perfect score. In 2025, she represented England at the Chess Olympiad in Hungary, becoming the youngest person ever to play for an England senior national team in any sport, as reported by the BBC.
Family and Expert Reactions
Her father, Siva, told the BBC that her talent was “a complete surprise” to the family. “Nobody in our family was proficient at chess before she started playing,” he said.
International Chess Master Malcolm Pein believes Bodhana’s ceiling is limitless: “She’s modest, composed, and utterly brilliant. She could become the women’s world champion, maybe even the overall world champion.”
Looking Ahead
Bodhana now has her sights set on the Grandmaster title. “Chess makes me feel good,” she told the BBC, adding that it also sharpens her skills in maths and calculation.
With her latest triumph, Bodhana hasn’t just broken records; she’s inspiring a new generation of young players, proving that in chess, brilliance has no age limit.
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Yash Desai is a renowned journalist with over 10+ years of experience covering sports around the world. He began his career as a News Reporter in Delhi, India, and got an opportunity to cover several World events, including the Olympics, Paralympics, and World Games. He often felt that women’s sports are sidelined and given step-motherly treatment by the mainstream media. To bridge this gap and to build an equal playing field, Yash co-founded FemaleInSports and is currently working as a Lead Editor here.
