It’s not every day that the chess world witnesses history, but on August 10, 2025, a quiet buzz in Liverpool’s tournament hall turned into an international sensation. Bodhana Sivanandan, a 10-year-old prodigy from Harrow, northwest London, etched her name into the record books by defeating Grandmaster Peter Wells, becoming the youngest female player ever to topple a chess grandmaster. If that weren’t enough, her victory also secured her the coveted Woman International Master (WIM) title—making her the youngest person to attain this distinction.
Bodhana’s journey to this moment is as inspiring as it is improbable. Born to engineer parents with no chess background, she stumbled into the game at age five during the COVID-19 lockdown. As she recounted, “When it was 2020, it was Covid, so one of my dad’s friends was going back to India, and he had a few toys and books, and he gave them to us. And in one of the bags, I saw a chessboard, and I was interested in the pieces. I wanted to use the pieces as toys. Instead, my dad said that I could play the game, and then I started from there.”
Her father, Siva, admits to being mystified by his daughter’s meteoric rise. “Nobody at all in our family had any chess experience before Bodhana started playing. I try to trace down whether any of my cousins or anyone plays—nobody has any chess energy or chess-playing skills, no one played for any chess events,” he told the BBC. “Overall, we are happy with whatever is happening. Hopefully she enjoys, plays well and performs.”
What began as a lockdown pastime quickly became a passion. Bodhana’s parents, both engineering graduates and chess novices, supported her learning through online platforms like Chess.com. Within just a few years, Bodhana was not only outpacing her peers but also achieving milestones that had eluded England for decades. In 2023, she became England’s first World Youth Chess Champion in 25 years, sweeping a triple gold medal with a perfect score in three different formats.
Her rapid ascent continued unabated. By 2024, Bodhana had been selected for the England Women’s Team at the Chess Olympiad in Hungary, making her the youngest person ever to represent England internationally in any sport. Recognition followed swiftly—she was even invited to 10 Downing Street at age eight, meeting then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a testament to her growing profile in British sport.
The 2025 British Chess Championships in Liverpool marked another turning point. Facing 60-year-old Grandmaster Peter Wells in the final round, Bodhana entered the game with nerves of steel. The match itself was a rollercoaster. By the 37th move, Wells’ knights were pressing, and Bodhana appeared to be on the back foot. Yet, with remarkable poise, she capitalized on a critical error by Wells on move 39, launching a decisive rook maneuver that flipped the game on its head. Wells was forced to resign just a few moves later.
The International Chess Federation announced the historic feat on social media, stating, “Sivanandan’s victory at 10 years, five months and three days beats the 2019 record held by American Carissa Yip (10 years, 11 months and 20 days).” The chess world was quick to take notice. According to tournament officials and chess experts, Bodhana’s “calmness and maturity” set her apart, with many hailing her as a rising star destined for greatness.
This victory didn’t just break records—it also earned her the final norm required for the Woman International Master title. The WIM is the second-highest ranking title awarded exclusively to women, just below the Woman Grandmaster. Grandmaster, the highest title in chess, is a lifelong honor. For Bodhana, the WIM is both a milestone and a stepping stone. She’s made no secret of her ultimate ambition: “My goal is to become a grandmaster.”
International chess master Malcolm Pein, who heads a charity introducing chess to state schools, has been effusive in his praise: “She’s so composed, she’s so modest and yet she’s so absolutely brilliant at chess. She could easily become the women’s world champion, or maybe the overall world champion. And certainly I believe that she’s on course to become a grandmaster.”
Bodhana’s background is as multicultural as her chessboard. Though born and raised in London, her family’s roots trace back to the Trichy region of Tamil Nadu, India. Her story is a testament to the power of early encouragement, family support, and access to resources. Bodhana herself draws inspiration from chess legends like José Capablanca, delving into the game’s history and strategy with the same enthusiasm she brings to competition.
Her achievements are not just personal milestones—they’re a beacon for young talent everywhere, especially girls in traditionally male-dominated fields. As The Logical Indian noted, Bodhana’s journey “exemplifies the power of early encouragement, family support, and access to resources in nurturing talent. Her success story transcends chess, symbolizing the broader potential of children everywhere to excel when given opportunities irrespective of gender or background.”
For Bodhana, chess is more than a game. As she puts it, chess makes her feel “good” and helps with “lots of other things like maths, how to calculate.” The discipline and logic she’s gained from chess have translated into other areas of her life, underscoring the game’s educational value.
Her record-breaking win over Peter Wells was not an isolated flash of brilliance. Earlier in 2025, she became the youngest player to achieve a Woman Grandmaster norm, surpassing even prodigies like Hou Yifan. Each achievement builds upon the last, and the chess community is watching her trajectory with mounting excitement.
As Bodhana’s story continues to unfold, one can’t help but wonder: What’s next for this prodigious talent? With her sights firmly set on the grandmaster title and the unwavering support of her family and fans, the possibilities seem endless.
For now, Liverpool’s tournament hall echoes with the memory of a 10-year-old’s victory—a moment that has redefined what’s possible in the world of chess. Bodhana Sivanandan’s journey is just beginning, but she’s already inspired a generation to dream bigger, play harder, and never underestimate the power of a curious mind and a supportive home.
