Imagine a 10-year-old girl, full of dreams and pure determination, stepping onto the chessboard against a seasoned grandmaster—who just so happens to be 60 years old! That’s exactly what happened when British junior Bodhana Sivanandan made history this week by defeating grandmaster Peter Wells at the 2025 British Chess Championships in Liverpool.

Bodhana, who exudes an impressive calmness and maturity on the board, has officially become the youngest female chess player to defeat a grandmaster. Her victory came at just 10 years, 5 months, and 3 days, smashing the previous record held by American Carissa Yip, who was 10 years, 11 months, and 20 days old when she achieved the same feat back in 2019.

The excitement surrounding this match was palpable. Tim Wall, the director of Junior Chess at the English Chess Federation, praised Bodhana's composed demeanor during the intense game. He remarked, “She exudes calmness and maturity on the board.” But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the young prodigy. During the match, it seemed like Wells had the upper hand, showcasing his grandmaster skills. However, Bodhana’s strategic and calculated moves turned the tide, leading her to victory.

In the chess world, achieving the title of grandmaster is no small feat. It’s the highest accolade a player can achieve, and once earned, it’s held for life. Following her remarkable victory, Bodhana has been awarded the woman international master rank, which is the second-highest title exclusively for women, just shy of woman grandmaster.

In an interview with the BBC, Bodhana expressed her aspirations to continue her journey, stating her hope to one day achieve the grandmaster title herself. Her father, Siva, shared his surprise at her immense talent, admitting that neither he nor his wife were particularly strong players. The family watched in awe as Bodhana navigated through the complexities of her match against Wells, which left commentator Danny Gormally in disbelief. “How on earth did she win this? She must be some kind of magician,” he exclaimed during the live stream. Gormally further elaborated on her playing style, noting, “She likes to play simple positional moves… very solid player. But she tends to outplay her opponents later in the game.”

As Bodhana Sivanandan continues on her path, she’s not just a young girl with dreams, but a beacon of inspiration for aspiring chess players around the world. Will she become the next grandmaster? Only time will tell!