Who is Bodhana Sivanandan?

Bodhana Sivanandan is a 10-year-old chess prodigy from England who set a world record as the youngest female to defeat a Grandmaster.

Why is this record important?

Her victory at age 10 years, 5 months, and 3 days surpasses the previous benchmark by more than six months and establishes a new global milestone in chess.

What is her next goal?

She aims to achieve the Woman Grandmaster (WGM) title and ultimately the full Grandmaster (GM) title.

How did she start playing chess?

She began during the COVID-19 lockdown, first playing casually at home and then teaching herself fundamentals through YouTube before competing more seriously.

What impact could this have on U.S. chess?

Her achievement may prompt U.S. chess academies to reassess talent discovery and development, and it inspires young players regardless of age or background.

10-Year-Old Chess Prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan Makes History, Defeats Grandmaster at British Championship

✅ A 10-Year-Old Who Defeated a 60-Year-Old Grandmaster

On the final day of the 2025 British Chess Championship in Liverpool, 10-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan stunned the world by delivering a flawless checkmate against 60-year-old Grandmaster Peter Wells. This was more than just a match—it sent shockwaves through the chess world, including in the United States.

✅ Youngest Ever Record Breaker

At just 10 years, 5 months, and 3 days, Bodhana became the youngest female in history to defeat a Grandmaster. This beats the previous record held by U.S. chess prodigy Carissa Yip by over six months.

✅ From an Ordinary Family to an Extraordinary Journey

Bodhana’s parents are both engineers with no chess background. During the COVID-19 lockdown, she began playing with chess pieces like toys, then taught herself the basics through YouTube videos. From there, she rapidly developed her skills and started dominating blitz tournaments across Europe.

✅ Rising on the International Stage

In 2024, she represented England at the Chess Olympiad in Hungary, becoming the youngest ever national team member. Her latest victory confirms that her talent is already world-class.

✅ A Message to U.S. Chess

Bodhana’s win is a reminder that age and gender need not be barriers. Her achievement may prompt U.S. chess academies to rethink their approaches to talent discovery and development.

✅ Title Achievement and Future Goals

Bodhana has now earned the Woman International Master (WIM) title from FIDE—making her the youngest player ever to do so.

Title	Average Age	Bodhana’s Age
WIM	14–16	10 years, 5 months

✅ Fans’ Expectations

Chess fans worldwide now expect her to claim both the Woman Grandmaster (WGM) and full Grandmaster (GM) titles in the coming years.

Goal	Expected Age	Current Status
WGM	12–14	WIM title achieved
GM	Around 15	Rising rapidly in global rankings

✅ Her Message to Young Players

“It doesn’t matter if your parents don’t know chess. If you love something and keep at it, you can break records—before you even get to high school.” Bodhana’s words resonate with young dreamers everywhere.

🙋 FAQ

Who is Bodhana Sivanandan?
A 10-year-old chess prodigy from England who broke the world record for youngest female to defeat a Grandmaster.
Why is this record important?
It surpasses the U.S. record by over six months and sets a new global milestone.
What’s her next goal?
To earn both the Woman Grandmaster and full Grandmaster titles.
How did she start playing?
During the COVID-19 lockdown, teaching herself through YouTube.
What impact could this have on U.S. chess?
It may inspire changes in talent scouting and training programs.

✨ Final Thoughts

Bodhana Sivanandan is more than a record-breaker—she’s reshaping the future of chess. Her journey sends a powerful message of possibility to players of all ages and backgrounds.