10-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan shocks Grandmaster, sets historic chess record
British chess prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan has etched her name in history, becoming the youngest female player ever to defeat a grandmaster.
The 10-year-old from Harrow achieved the remarkable feat on Sunday, toppling 60-year-old Grandmaster Peter Wells in the final round of the 2025 British Chess Championships in Liverpool.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
SUBSCRIBE NOW!
At just 10 years, five months and three days, Sivanandan broke the previous record set in 2019 by American Carissa Yip, who was 10 years, 11 months and 20 days old when she claimed her first grandmaster scalp.
"How on earth did she win this? She must be some kind of magician," GM Danny Gormally said while commentating for the English Chess Federation broadcast.
She also received high praise from legendary chess player Susan Polgar.
"Bodhana Sivanandan became the youngest girl to defeat a GM at just 10 years, 5 months and 3 days in the final round of the 2025 British Chess Championships! The previous record was held by IM Carissa Yip," Polgar wrote on X.
Sivanandan also secured her maiden Woman Grandmaster (WGM) norm during the tournament. Her triumph in the event earned her the third norm required to seal the Woman International Master (WIM) title, making her the youngest player ever to achieve it.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels
Techno Mag
Learn More
Undo
"According to several chess news sites, by beating a GM in the final round, she also earned her final WIM norm and became a WIM at 10! Double congratulations," Polgar added.
Bodhana, a Woman FIDE Master, has her roots in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, where her family lived until 2007, when her father, IT professional Sivanandan Velayutham, relocated to London.
Poll
What do you think about Bodhana Sivanandan's achievement in chess?
Incredible and inspiring
Impressive for her age
Not that surprising
I don't follow chess
Born and raised in the UK capital, she has quickly emerged as the face of British chess despite her tender age.
In August 2023, at just eight years old, Bodhana was invited to 10 Downing Street by then–Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who was set to announce a financial package to support chess in the UK.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
13 minutes ago
- Time of India
Ryan Reynolds teases Deadpool joining the Avengers in cryptic post; leaves fans guessing about 'Doomsday' or 'Secret Wars' casting
Ryan Reynolds may have just dropped a major hint about Deadpool's future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In a rather cryptic post, the actor posted an image on his Instagram handle that has amped up the excitement for the upcoming Avengers films. Reynolds posted a photo of the Avengers logo, but with 'A' spray-painted in red over it. While Reynolds offered no caption or context for his post, it sparked speculation that he may just be suiting up to finally join the Avengers in the upcoming films directed by the Russo Brothers. Fans were quick to draw connections to 'Deadpool and Wolverine', where a similarly 'A' was sprayed painted over an Avengers flag. The scene in question takes place in the Void - a chaotic dimension outside time and space, first introduced in Loki. This detail has fuelled theories that Deadpool could just appear in 'Avengers: Secret Wars', which is rumoured to feature Battleworld, a setting where remnants of destroyed universes collide and heroes including the X-Men, Fantastic Four, Avengers and more unite to take down the villain, rumoured to be Robert Downey Jr's character Doctor Doom. Upcoming Avengers Movies The speculation comes ahead of Marvel's highly anticipated 'Avengers: Doomsday', slated for release on December 18, 2026, followed by 'Secret Wars' on December 17, 2027. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo by Taboola by Taboola Both films recently had their release dates pushed back, with the Doomsday cast already confirmed to feature a star-studded line-up of returning heroes. Deadpool in Avengers Interestingly, Reynolds has previously dismissed the idea of Deadpool ever officially joining Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Speaking to Time earlier this year, he quipped, 'If Deadpool becomes an Avenger or an X-Man, we're at the end. That's wish fulfilment, and you can't give him that.' He also addressed the possible casting in 'Deadpool 3', where his character heads to Stark Towers for an interview with Happy Hogan, where his hopes for a possible recruitment are crushed. Meanwhile, the next film on Marvel's slate is Tom Holland 's 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' which is slated for a 31 July 2026 release.
Time of India
13 minutes ago
- Time of India
Which cricketer has won the most Player of the Month awards in history?
India batter and Test captain Shubman Gill. India's Shubman Gill made history by becoming the first male cricketer to win four ICC Player of the Month awards. His latest win came after an amazing performance in Test matches against England in July 2025, where he showed outstanding batting skills as India's Test captain. Gill's remarkable achievement includes winning the award in February 2025, January 2023, and September 2023, before his latest July 2025 recognition. In the recent England series, he impressed everyone with consistent high scores, including a double century of 269 and another century of 103. In the nets with Shubman Gill: How India Test captain prepares for a match After receiving the award, Gill expressed his joy, saying: "It feels great to be named the ICC Player of the Month for July. This time it holds a lot more significance since it has come for my performances during my first Test series as captain. The double ton in Birmingham is obviously something I will cherish forever and will be one of the highlights of my tour to England." He further added: "The Test series against England was a learning experience for me as captain, and we had some outstanding performances from both sides, which I am sure players from both sides will remember for a long time. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas Prices In Dubai Might Be More Affordable Than You Think Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Undo I would like to thank the jury for selecting me for this award and my teammates who have been with me during the course of this exciting series. I look forward to continuing my form in the season ahead and bring more laurels for the country. " Among other Indian cricketers, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah holds joint second place with two Player of the Month awards, won in June and December 2024. Also a winner of two awards was Shreyas Iyer (February 2022 and March 2025). Five other Indian players have won the award once: Rishabh Pant (January 2021), Ravichandran Ashwin (February 2021), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (March 2021), Virat Kohli (October 2022), and Yashasvi Jaiswal (February 2024). Most ICC Player of the Month Awards Shubman Gill - 4 Jasprit Bumrah - 2 Shreyas Iyer - 2 Harry Brook - 2 Babar Azam - 2 Kamindu Mendis - 2 Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
17 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘It's not the dogs' fault, it's ours'; Bhumi Pednekar opposes stray relocation; shares post
The Supreme Court's recent directive to relocate all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to shelters has ignited an emotional and highly divisive debate. While some have supported the move for public safety, several celebrities, from Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan to John Abraham and Vir Das, have spoken out against it. They have called it unfair and dangerous. Joining them, actor Bhumi Pednekar has shared a deeply personal story via her social media. A personal story behind the stance O n Instagram, Bhumi posted a series of photographs with her beloved dog, Bruno. Behind the cheerful snapshots was a harrowing backstory: Bruno had entered her life at just four months old, already a victim of cruelty. 'He was battered and badly hurt, jaw dislocated, tail burnt, yet his spirit was that of a warrior,' she wrote. The most shocking part, she revealed, was that the violence had been inflicted by children. 'Not their fault, it's ours, for failing to instill empathy, coexistence, and kindness,' she added. Against mass relocation, for root solutions Bhumi linked Bruno's survival to the plight of thousands of indie dogs who would be forced from the streets under the relocation order. For many, the streets are all they've ever known, and she fears uprooting them will cause more harm than good. Instead of mass removals, she urged for large-scale sterilization drives, consistent vaccination programs, and community-led feeding and monitoring to manage the population humanely. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ranked: The 25 Best Cities To Live In The World Learn More Undo Check out the post here. In her post, Bhumi also reminded followers that Indian street dogs are not outsiders; they are part of the country's heritage. She wrote that the Indian Pariah dog has been with humans for over 4,500 years, featuring in the Rig Veda, Mahabharata, and Upanishads as symbols of loyalty, dharma, and protection. 'Removing them en masse will not solve the root issues—it will only create more cruelty and displacement,' she concluded, leaving a heartfelt plea: 'May there be empathy. May there be peace. May justice prevail.' Orry: 'Being gay till 30 was fun. Now I want wife and kids'—internet reacts!
