**Ten-Year-Old London Chess Prodigy Achieves International Master Title**
In an inspiring development from the world of chess, a mere 10-year-old girl named Bodhana Sivanandan from north-west London has emerged as a prodigy, becoming the youngest individual ever to attain the title of woman international master. This remarkable milestone reflects her extraordinary talent and dedication, setting a new standard in the chess community.
Bodhana, hailing from Harrow, has also made headlines recently for being the youngest female player to defeat a chess grandmaster during the 2025 British Chess Championship, held earlier this month in Liverpool. Her father, Siva Sivanandan, shared with the BBC that he and his wife, both engineering graduates, could hardly grasp the origin of their daughter’s chess prowess, as neither of them is particularly skilled in the game.
Interestingly, Bodhana’s journey into the world of chess began during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the young age of five, she stumbled upon a chessboard that had been gifted by one of her father’s friends, who was returning to India. Inspired by the pieces, she initially intended to use them as toys, but her father guided her to explore the game itself, marking the inception of her chess journey.
A significant highlight in Bodhana’s burgeoning career came in 2024, when she was heralded as the youngest participant to represent England in any sport at the Chess Olympiad in Hungary. This accomplishment underlines her rapid progression in the realm of competitive chess, capturing the attention of the chess federation and enthusiasts alike.
In a celebrated match laden with pressure, Bodhana clinched victory against the 60-year-old Grandmaster Peter Wells at the 2025 British Chess Championships. The International Chess Federation publicly acknowledged her accomplishment via social media, proudly highlighting that her win—achieved at the age of 10 years, 5 months, and 3 days—eclipsed the previous record held by American Carissa Yip, who was 10 years, 11 months, and 20 days old when she achieved a similar feat in 2019. Grandmaster, the highest title a chess player can achieve, remains a lifetime rank, while Bodhana’s newly-acquired title as woman international master ranks as the second-highest designation available to female chess players, just below woman grandmaster.
Bodhana states that engaging with chess not only brings her joy but also bolsters her skills in areas such as mathematics. Her father expressed astonishment at his daughter’s talent, emphasizing that there are no known chess players in their family tree, and he has been unable to trace any ancestral connection to chess expertise. Nonetheless, he supports her aspirations and endeavors, expressing hope that she enjoys her endeavors and continues to achieve as she pursues her goals in chess.
When asked about her aspirations, Bodhana revealed her ambition to one day become a grandmaster herself. She has garnered admiration from seasoned chess figures like Malcolm Payne, an international chess master. Payne remarked that Bodhana is not just a role model for other girls but also an exceptional talent in a traditionally male-dominated field. He confidently predicts that she has the potential to ascend to the ranks of women’s world champion or even the overall world champion.
As Bodhana continues on her chess journey, her accomplishments signal a turning point for young female players everywhere, inspiring a new generation to partake in this intellectual sport. The future holds promise not only for this remarkable young player but also for the game of chess itself, as it increasingly transcends boundaries and expectations.
