Bodhana Sivanandan is making headlines worldwide by becoming the youngest girl to defeat a GM in chess ever. The record she broke at the age of 10 years, 5 months, and 3 days had been held by American prodigy Carissa Yip since 2019. This historic moment came at the British Chess Championships 2025, where she faced a 60-year-old GM, Peter Wells.
And for a long time, the odds were against her, but she didn’t lose hope and ended up beating Wells in the last three moves. So, who is this incredible young talent making waves all over the chess world right now? Let’s see.
Who Is Bodhana Sivanandan?
Bodhana Sivanandan was born and raised in London with Indian roots tracing back to Tamil Nadu in India. Yes, the same state from which the World Champion Gukesh D comes. So, needless to say, chess is almost in her blood. She was introduced to chess by her father, who brought a chess set home during COVID-19, marking the rise of some of the finest talents in chess: Bodhana Sivanandan.
Bodhana Sivanandan’s Past Achievements
Despite her young age, Bodhana Sivanandan has already climbed up the ranks and become the youngest chess player to earn a woman GM norm last month. This record had been a long-standing record held by Hou Yifan of China for 20 years, marking a new era in chess. This achievement came after securing multiple world youth championships. She has become the face of British chess and an inspiration for young players, inspiring many with her grace and calm.
Her past achievements show a consistent rise. In 2023, Bodhana Sivanandan became England’s first World Youth Chess Champion in 25 years, impressively winning a triple gold medal across three formats with a perfect score. She also won the women’s prize in the European Women’s Blitz Championship that same year, even drawing against a Grandmaster and defeating an International Master along the way.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, the future looks incredibly bright for Bodhana Sivanandan. Experts in the chess world predict she could achieve the Grandmaster title in just a few years, a rapid rise by any standard. With her passion and work ethic, plus a supportive family and the experience she’s already gaining in big tournaments, she’s well on her way to becoming one of the greatest players not just in England, but globally.
Also read: Bodhana Sivanandan Becomes The Youngest Girl To Defeat A Grandmaster At 10
