10-Year-Old Chess Prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan Makes History as Youngest to Defeat a Grandmaster
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| Bodhana Sivanandan, the 10-year-old chess prodigy, celebrates her historic victory at the 2025 British Chess Championships. |
Bodhana Sivanandan, youngest chess player, chess prodigy, British Chess Championships, defeat grandmaster, women in chess, chess history, young athletes, sports prodigies
Discover how 10-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan became the youngest female chess player to defeat a grandmaster at the 2025 British Chess Championships. A rising star with Indian roots, her story inspires sports fans everywhere!
A 10-Year-Old Chess Sensation Rewrites HistoryIn the world of competitive sports, prodigies often capture our hearts, and 10-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan is no exception. This young chess phenom from Harrow, London, with roots in Tamil Nadu, India, has just etched her name into the record books. At the 2025 British Chess Championships in Liverpool, Bodhana became the youngest female player ever to defeat a grandmaster, toppling the seasoned Peter Wells at just 10 years, five months, and three days old. This remarkable feat shattered the previous record held by American Carissa Yip, who was nearly 11 when she achieved a similar milestone in 2019. Bodhana’s victory is not just a win for chess but a testament to the power of young athletes breaking barriers in any sport. Her story resonates with football fans, too, who admire the grit and strategy of rising stars like Lamine Yamal or Jude Bellingham, proving that age is no limit to greatness.From Lockdown Hobby to Global StardomBodhana’s journey began during the 2020 lockdown when, at just five years old, she discovered a chessboard at home. What started as a casual pastime quickly turned into a passion, fueled by her fascination with the knight’s unique moves. Her father, Sivanandan Velayutham, an IT professional, supported her early learning through online platforms like Chess.com. Within a year, Bodhana was already winning silver medals at the European Under-8 Rapid and Blitz Championships, showcasing her natural talent.By age eight, she was invited to 10 Downing Street by then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to celebrate her achievements and support for chess in the UK. Now, at 10, Bodhana holds the title of Woman FIDE Master and has earned a norm toward becoming a Women’s International Master—a rare accomplishment for someone so young. Her meteoric rise mirrors the dedication seen in young footballers who train relentlessly to compete at the highest levels.A Game-Changing VictoryBodhana’s triumph over Grandmaster Peter Wells, a 60-year-old veteran, was nothing short of dramatic. In a nail-biting match, she faced challenges in the middle game, with Wells’ knights threatening her position. Yet, her composure and strategic brilliance shone through. A critical error by Wells on move 39, followed by Bodhana’s aggressive rook maneuver, turned the game in her favor, leading to his resignation by move 40. English Chess Federation commentator Danny Gormally called her a “magician” for pulling off such an improbable victory.This win earned Bodhana 24 rating points and a joint 26th place in the open event, a remarkable achievement for a player who could have dominated age-group categories but chose to challenge herself against elite competition. Her style, often compared to chess legend José Raúl Capablanca for its positional mastery, also draws parallels to the calculated precision of football tacticians like Pep Guardiola.Why Bodhana’s Story Matters to Sports FansBodhana’s success transcends chess, offering inspiration to fans of all sports. Her ability to stay calm under pressure, strategize against experienced opponents, and seize critical moments mirrors the qualities of top athletes in football, basketball, or any competitive arena. As she told The Indian Express, “I really like that [chess] activates your brain and involves strategy and calculation.” This mindset is universal, whether you’re plotting a checkmate or orchestrating a game-winning goal.Her story also highlights the growing presence of women in traditionally male-dominated sports. Much like trailblazers such as Alexia Putellas in football or Judit Polgár in chess (who mentored Bodhana in 2024), Bodhana is paving the way for future generations.Shareable Quote“Bodhana Sivanandan’s historic win proves that age is just a number when talent and determination collide. She’s not just a chess prodigy—she’s a sports icon in the making!” — Kishwar Khan, The Football HubWhat’s Next for Bodhana?At just 10, Bodhana is already the world’s top-ranked girl under 10 and was selected for England’s women’s team at the 2024 Chess Olympiad, making her the youngest athlete to represent England in any sport. Experts like FIDE Master Tim Wall predict she could become a grandmaster within three to four years, a feat that would place her among chess’s elite.Her journey is a reminder that sports, whether on a chessboard or a football pitch, are about resilience, strategy, and defying expectations. As Bodhana continues to break records, she’s a name every sports fan should watch.
: Bodhana Sivanandan, the 10-year-old chess prodigy, celebrates her historic victory at the 2025 British Chess Championships. A young girl with a bindi, Bodhana Sivanandan, sits confidently at a chessboard, smiling after defeating a grandmaster at the 2025 British Chess Championships.
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Blog: The Football Hub
A 10-Year-Old Chess Sensation Rewrites HistoryIn the world of competitive sports, prodigies often capture our hearts, and 10-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan is no exception. This young chess phenom from Harrow, London, with roots in Tamil Nadu, India, has just etched her name into the record books. At the 2025 British Chess Championships in Liverpool, Bodhana became the youngest female player ever to defeat a grandmaster, toppling the seasoned Peter Wells at just 10 years, five months, and three days old. This remarkable feat shattered the previous record held by American Carissa Yip, who was nearly 11 when she achieved a similar milestone in 2019. Bodhana’s victory is not just a win for chess but a testament to the power of young athletes breaking barriers in any sport. Her story resonates with football fans, too, who admire the grit and strategy of rising stars like Lamine Yamal or Jude Bellingham, proving that age is no limit to greatness.From Lockdown Hobby to Global StardomBodhana’s journey began during the 2020 lockdown when, at just five years old, she discovered a chessboard at home. What started as a casual pastime quickly turned into a passion, fueled by her fascination with the knight’s unique moves. Her father, Sivanandan Velayutham, an IT professional, supported her early learning through online platforms like Chess.com. Within a year, Bodhana was already winning silver medals at the European Under-8 Rapid and Blitz Championships, showcasing her natural talent.By age eight, she was invited to 10 Downing Street by then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to celebrate her achievements and support for chess in the UK. Now, at 10, Bodhana holds the title of Woman FIDE Master and has earned a norm toward becoming a Women’s International Master—a rare accomplishment for someone so young. Her meteoric rise mirrors the dedication seen in young footballers who train relentlessly to compete at the highest levels.A Game-Changing VictoryBodhana’s triumph over Grandmaster Peter Wells, a 60-year-old veteran, was nothing short of dramatic. In a nail-biting match, she faced challenges in the middle game, with Wells’ knights threatening her position. Yet, her composure and strategic brilliance shone through. A critical error by Wells on move 39, followed by Bodhana’s aggressive rook maneuver, turned the game in her favor, leading to his resignation by move 40. English Chess Federation commentator Danny Gormally called her a “magician” for pulling off such an improbable victory.This win earned Bodhana 24 rating points and a joint 26th place in the open event, a remarkable achievement for a player who could have dominated age-group categories but chose to challenge herself against elite competition. Her style, often compared to chess legend José Raúl Capablanca for its positional mastery, also draws parallels to the calculated precision of football tacticians like Pep Guardiola.Why Bodhana’s Story Matters to Sports FansBodhana’s success transcends chess, offering inspiration to fans of all sports. Her ability to stay calm under pressure, strategize against experienced opponents, and seize critical moments mirrors the qualities of top athletes in football, basketball, or any competitive arena. As she told The Indian Express, “I really like that [chess] activates your brain and involves strategy and calculation.” This mindset is universal, whether you’re plotting a checkmate or orchestrating a game-winning goal.Her story also highlights the growing presence of women in traditionally male-dominated sports. Much like trailblazers such as Alexia Putellas in football or Judit Polgár in chess (who mentored Bodhana in 2024), Bodhana is paving the way for future generations.Shareable Quote“Bodhana Sivanandan’s historic win proves that age is just a number when talent and determination collide. She’s not just a chess prodigy—she’s a sports icon in the making!” — Kishwar Khan, The Football HubWhat’s Next for Bodhana?At just 10, Bodhana is already the world’s top-ranked girl under 10 and was selected for England’s women’s team at the 2024 Chess Olympiad, making her the youngest athlete to represent England in any sport. Experts like FIDE Master Tim Wall predict she could become a grandmaster within three to four years, a feat that would place her among chess’s elite.Her journey is a reminder that sports, whether on a chessboard or a football pitch, are about resilience, strategy, and defying expectations. As Bodhana continues to break records, she’s a name every sports fan should watch.
: Bodhana Sivanandan, the 10-year-old chess prodigy, celebrates her historic victory at the 2025 British Chess Championships. A young girl with a bindi, Bodhana Sivanandan, sits confidently at a chessboard, smiling after defeating a grandmaster at the 2025 British Chess Championships.
Authoritative Backlinks
- Learn more about Bodhana’s journey on Chess.com
- Explore the British Chess Championships at English Chess Federation
- Follow global chess updates at FIDE
Follow for More Sports InsightsStay updated on inspiring stories like Bodhana’s and get exclusive football insights:
Get lineup alerts before they’re official: X: @Kishwar09394376
Facebook: [Kishwar Khan](https://www.facebook.com/Kishwar Khan) Blog: The Football Hub
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