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10-Year-Old British-Indian Bodhana Sivanandan Creates Chess History, Becomes Youngest Girl To...

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Bodhana Sivanandan becomes youngest female chess player to defeat a Grandmaster

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10-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan shocks Grandmaster, sets historic chess record

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British chess player Bodhana Sivanandan, 10, became the youngest female to win the Woman International Master title Sunday, defeating Grandmaster Peter Wells in the 2025 British Chess Championships in Liverpool.

British chess player Bodhana Sivanandan, 10, became the youngest female to win the Woman International Master title Sunday, defeating Grandmaster Peter Wells in the 2025 British Chess Championships in Liverpool.

With her victory over the 60-year-old Grandmaster, Sivanandan, who is from Harrow, broke the previous record set in 2019 by American Carissa Yip as the youngest female player ever to defeat a grandmaster.

With her victory over the 60-year-old Grandmaster, Sivanandan, who is from Harrow, broke the previous record set in 2019 by American Carissa Yip as the youngest female player ever to defeat a grandmaster.

Tim Wall, head of Junior Chess at the English Chess Federation, commented of her performance that the young chess sensation "exudes calmness and maturity on the board."

Tim Wall, head of Junior Chess at the English Chess Federation, commented of her performance that the young chess sensation "exudes calmness and maturity on the board."

Sivanandan's family moved to London in 2007, though her father was originally from Tiruchirappalli in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. She reportedly began playing chess during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Sivanandan's family moved to London in 2007, though her father was originally from Tiruchirappalli in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. She reportedly began playing chess during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Sivanandan's introduction of chess was allegedly accidental, as she began playing on a chessboard that her dad's friend had meant to donate to a charity shop, before instead gifting it to her.

Sivanandan's introduction of chess was allegedly accidental, as she began playing on a chessboard that her dad's friend had meant to donate to a charity shop, before instead gifting it to her.

Three years ago, Sivanandan won all 24 competitive matches she played — and was awarded three gold medals — in the European Schools championships held in Rhodes. At age 8, she met then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street.

Three years ago, Sivanandan won all 24 competitive matches she played — and was awarded three gold medals — in the European Schools championships held in Rhodes. At age 8, she met then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street.

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British chess player Bodhana Sivanandan, 10, became the youngest woman to win the Woman International Master title Sunday, defeating Grandmaster Peter Wells in the 2025 British Chess Championships in Liverpool.

British chess player Bodhana Sivanandan, 10, became the youngest woman to win the Woman International Master title Sunday, defeating Grandmaster Peter Wells in the 2025 British Chess Championships in Liverpool.

With her victory over the 60-year-old Grandmaster, Sivanandan, a native of Harrow, reportedly broke the previous record set in 2019 by American Carissa Yip as the youngest female player ever to defeat a grandmaster.

With her victory over the 60-year-old Grandmaster, Sivanandan, a native of Harrow, reportedly broke the previous record set in 2019 by American Carissa Yip as the youngest female player ever to defeat a grandmaster.

Tim Wall, head of Junior Chess at the English Chess Federation, said the young chess sensation "exudes calmness and maturity on the board." Her father, Sivanandan Velayutham, was left wondering where she got her talent from.

Tim Wall, head of Junior Chess at the English Chess Federation, said the young chess sensation "exudes calmness and maturity on the board." Her father, Sivanandan Velayutham, was left wondering where she got her talent from.

Sivanandan's family, having moved to London in 2007, traces its roots to Tiruchirappalli in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. She began playing chess during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Sivanandan's family, having moved to London in 2007, traces its roots to Tiruchirappalli in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. She began playing chess during the Covid-19 lockdown.

She reportedly began playing on a chessboard that her dad's friend, who was leaving for India, meant to donate to a charity shop initially, and instead gifted it to her. Sivanandan goes to the St John Fisher Primary School in Harrow.

She reportedly began playing on a chessboard that her dad's friend, who was leaving for India, meant to donate to a charity shop initially, and instead gifted it to her. Sivanandan goes to the St John Fisher Primary School in Harrow.

Three years ago, Sivanandan won all 24 matches she played — and three gold medals — in the European Schools championships held in Rhodes. At age 8, she met then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street.

Three years ago, Sivanandan won all 24 matches she played — and three gold medals — in the European Schools championships held in Rhodes. At age 8, she met then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street.

While athletic prodigies often face physical/emotional challenges, Sivanandan appears well-adapted, learning during COVID with supportive engineer parents. Her rise toward potentially becoming the youngest grandmaster ever offers an inspiring story in competitive chess.

While athletic prodigies often face physical/emotional challenges, Sivanandan appears well-adapted, learning during COVID with supportive engineer parents. Her rise toward potentially becoming the youngest grandmaster ever offers an inspiring story in competitive chess.

Child prodigies face significant psychological risks from early achievement pressure. Overcultivation can cause self-esteem problems, performance anxiety, and feelings of failure despite accomplishments. Parents' ambitious expectations may backfire, creating harmful pressure for perfection.

Child prodigies face significant psychological risks from early achievement pressure. Overcultivation can cause self-esteem problems, performance anxiety, and feelings of failure despite accomplishments. Parents' ambitious expectations may backfire, creating harmful pressure for perfection.

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British Chess Prodigy, 10, is The World's Youngest Female Grandmaster

Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

British Chess Prodigy, 10, is The World's Youngest Female Grandmaster

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Child prodigies invariably face significant psychological risks from the pressures of early achievement. Overcultivation can cause self-esteem problems, performance anxiety, and a sense of failure despite their accomplishments. Parents' ambitious expectations may backfire, and Sivanandan should err away from striving for perfection.

Child prodigies invariably face significant psychological risks from the pressures of early achievement. Overcultivation can cause self-esteem problems, performance anxiety, and a sense of failure despite their accomplishments. Parents' ambitious expectations may backfire, and Sivanandan should err away from striving for perfection.

While athletic prodigies often face physical or emotional challenges, Sivanandan appears extremely well-adapted, having learned her discipline during the COVID pandemic and enjoying the benefit of supportive and loving parents. Her rise toward potentially becoming the youngest grandmaster ever offers an inspiring story in competitive chess.

While athletic prodigies often face physical or emotional challenges, Sivanandan appears extremely well-adapted, having learned her discipline during the COVID pandemic and enjoying the benefit of supportive and loving parents. Her rise toward potentially becoming the youngest grandmaster ever offers an inspiring story in competitive chess.

There's a 20% chance that, if chess is solved before 2080, perfect play must result in white winning, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There's a 20% chance that, if chess is solved before 2080, perfect play must result in white winning, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

10-Year-Old British Chess Prodigy World's Youngest Female Grandmaster

10-Year-Old British Chess Prodigy, 10, is The World's Youngest Female Grandmaster

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