A 10-year-old chess prodigy from northwest London has made history at the 2025 British Chess Championships. Bodhana Sivanandan, from Harrow, stunned the chess world by defeating 60-year-old Grandmaster Peter Wells in the final round. She is now the youngest female player ever to beat a grandmaster.
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) celebrated her achievement on Instagram, calling her a “British sensation” and a record-breaker. The victory beats the previous record held by American Carissa Yip, who was almost 11 when she achieved the feat in 2019.
Rising Star in the Chess World
After her historic win, Sivanandan earned the title of Woman International Master. This is the second-highest title available to female players before Grandmaster. Experts say she is on a promising path, much like world champion Gukesh Dommaraju and global chess icon Magnus Carlsen.
Her chess journey began in an unusual way. Speaking to BBC News, Sivanandan said she discovered the game at age five during the COVID-19 lockdown. A family friend brought toys and books to her home. Inside one bag was a chessboard. She wanted to use the pieces as toys, but her father encouraged her to learn the game instead. That moment sparked a passion that quickly grew into extraordinary skill.
Praises From the Chess Community
Malcolm Pein, an international chess master and founder of a chess-in-schools charity, praised her talent and calm nature. “She’s composed, modest, and brilliant at chess,” he said. “She could become the women’s world champion, or even the overall world champion. I believe she’s on course to be a grandmaster.”
A New Era of Young Chess Talents
Sivanandan’s success reflects a wave of young talents making headlines. In 2024, 8-year-old Aswath Kaushik from India became the youngest player of any gender to defeat a grandmaster. He beat 37-year-old Jacek Stopa in Switzerland.
With her victory, Bodhana Sivanandan has rewritten the record books and inspired a new generation of chess players worldwide.
