10-Year-Old Bodhana Sivanandan Makes Chess History

10-Year-Old Bodhana Sivanandan Makes Chess History. Bodhana Sivanandan, a 10-year-old chess prodigy from Harrow, is the youngest ever Woman International Master and the youngest female to defeat a grandmaster. She achieved both milestones at the 2025 British Chess Championship, marking a new chapter in chess history.

Bodhana Sivanandan – The 10-Year-Old Chess Prodigy Breaking Records

In chess, experience and patience often dominate. Yet a 10-year-old girl from north-west London has shaken the game’s foundations. Bodhana Sivanandan, from Harrow, has earned the Woman International Master (WIM) title. She is now the youngest person ever to achieve this rank.

Even more impressively, she also became the youngest female to defeat a chess grandmaster. Both records came at the 2025 British Chess Championship earlier this month.

Youngest Woman International Master

In August 2025, Bodhana earned the WIM title at just 10 years, 5 months, and 3 days old. This shattered previous age records in the sport.

The WIM title is awarded by FIDE to players who demonstrate consistent high-level performance in rated tournaments. For many, it takes years of experience and intense competition. Bodhana reached the milestone after only five years of playing chess, having started during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Defeating a Chess Grandmaster

During the same championship, Bodhana claimed another historic victory. She beat Grandmaster Peter Wells, one of the UK’s most respected players.

This made her the youngest female in history to defeat a grandmaster. She broke the record set by American chess star Carissa Yip. The match showed her deep tactical skills, accurate calculation, and mental toughness far beyond her age.

From Lockdown Hobby to World-Class Talent

Bodhana’s chess journey began in 2020. Like many, she was at home during the pandemic and tried new activities. Chess quickly became more than a hobby.

Within months, her talent was obvious. By age 8, she had already won multiple World Youth Championship gold medals in rapid and blitz formats. She also dominated her age groups in European tournaments.

Representing England at the Highest Level

At just 9 years old, Bodhana represented England in the 2024 Chess Olympiad. This made her one of the youngest athletes to represent the country in any sport.

Her performance caught the eye of coaches and analysts worldwide. They praised her creativity, positional understanding, and sharp finishing skills.

First Women’s Grandmaster Norm

In July 2025, Bodhana earned her first Women’s Grandmaster (WGM) norm in Aix-en-Provence, France. She became the youngest player in history to achieve this, surpassing legends like Judit Polgár and Hou Yifan.

A WGM norm is a major step toward the Women’s Grandmaster title. It requires consistent success against top-level opponents.

Why Her Success Matters

Bodhana’s achievements inspire far beyond the chessboard:

• Motivating Young Players – She proves that talent and hard work can overcome age barriers.
• Encouraging More Girls in Chess – Her success shows that women can excel in competitive, male-dominated fields.
• Raising England’s Chess Profile – She brings global attention to English chess, inspiring more youth programs.

The Road Ahead

Many experts believe Bodhana could challenge for the Grandmaster (GM) title. Reaching it before age 15 would place her among the sport’s all-time greats.

Her ability to stay calm under pressure, adapt strategies, and outplay experienced opponents suggests she has the potential to achieve this.

Final Thoughts

Bodhana Sivanandan’s story is remarkable. She went from learning chess during lockdown to becoming the youngest Woman International Master and the youngest female to beat a grandmaster.

With a WGM norm already secured, her future looks brighter than ever. The chess world will be watching closely to see just how far she can go.

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