Age is just a number: 10-year-old Indo-British chess prodigy triumphs over Grandmaster

In a stunning display of youthful brilliance and strategic mastery, 10-year-old Indo-British chess prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan has etched her name in chess history by defeating 60-year-old Grandmaster Peter Wells in the last round of the 2025 British Chess Championships in Liverpool.

With her victory at 10 years, five months and three days, she beat the previous record held by American Carissa Yip (10 years, 11 months and 20 days) from 2019.

Chess legend Susan Polgar praised the teen for her historic achievement. "Bodhana Sivanandan became the youngest girl to defeat a GM at just 10 years old (5 months and 3 days) in the final round of the 2025 British Chess Championships! The previous record was held by IM Carissa Yip,” she wrote in her post.

Bodhana Sivanandan became the youngest girl to defeat a GM at just 10 years old (5 months and 3 days) in the final round of the 2025 British Chess Championships! 👏 The previous record was held by IM Carissa Yip. pic.twitter.com/xB2w2KtX2x

— Susan Polgar (@SusanPolgar) August 10, 2025

Bodhana’s family hails from Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchirappalli. Her father, Sivanandan Velayutham, had moved to London along with his family in 2007. Bodhana began to play chess at the age of five.

The remarkable victory not only marks a significant personal achievement for the young prodigy, but also sets a new benchmark for young talent in the competitive world of chess.