Bodhana Sivanandan becomes youngest female chess player to defeat a Grandmaster
Sivanandan defeated 60-year-old Grandmaster Peter Wells to achieve the feat. The youngster, who is a Women's FIDE Master, was ten years, five months, and one day when she broke the record.
🇬🇧♟👏 British sensation Bodhana Sivanandan has made history by becoming the youngest female chess player ever to beat a grandmaster!
The 10-year-old, from Harrow, pulled off the win on Sunday against 60-year-old Grandmaster Peter Wells in the last round of the 2025 British… pic.twitter.com/bAMqeyFZHm — International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) August 11, 2025
She also picked up her first Woman Grand Master (WGM) norm during the competition.
Sivanandan claimed the record from American Carissa Yip, who was 10 years, 11 months and 20 days when she set the record in 2019.
Victory in the event was also earned her a third norm to secure a Woman International Master (WIM), making her the youngest to do so.
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