The chess world is making headlines after another with its emerging talents and incredible stories. On 10 August 2025, yet another example of pure brilliance was witnessed at the British Chess Championship 2025, where 10-year-old girl Bodhana Sivanandan became the youngest girl to defeat a Grandmaster ever.
Bodhana Sivanandan’s Record-Breaking Win
Bodhana Sivanandan’s win at 10 years, 5 months, and three days broke the previous record set by American Chess prodigy Carrisa Yip in 2019. And what makes her story even more impressive is how she started playing chess. She was introduced to chess during COVID-19 at the age of five. Her father, originally from Tamil Nadu, India, brought home a discarded chess set that sparked the making of this new young prodigy.
A Tough Battle
The game at the British Chess Championship 2025 was intense. At one point in the middle game, it seemed like Bodhana Sivanandan would lose as she faced a tough position. But she didn’t lose her calm, and by the last three moves, she forced a 60-year-old Grandmaster, Peter Wells. The commentator even quoted this win by saying, “How on earth did she win this? She must be some kind of magician!”
Bodhana Sivanandan On Chess
“I love to play chess because it helps me to recognise patterns, focus my attention, and helps me to learn how to strategise and calculate moves in advance. Also, I like the way the chess pieces move on the board, especially the knight,” she told The Guardian three years ago.
Not The First Record
Her victory added 24 points and earned her a step closer to the women’s International Master title. This isn’t just a miracle, it’s a sign of consistency. Just last month, she became the youngest chess player to earn a Woman GM norm, breaking a long-standing record held by Chinese GM Hou Yifan. At such a young age, Bodhana Sivanandan is not just a rising star in British chess but also a role model for kids her age and beyond.
Also read: Chennai Grand Masters 2025 Round 5 Results: The Most Undecisive Round Yet
