A 10-year-old chess prodigy from London, Bodhana Sivanandan, has made history by becoming the youngest female player to defeat a grandmaster.
NEW DELHI – Bodhana Sivanandan, a 10-year-old chess prodigy from London, has made headlines by becoming the youngest female player ever to defeat a grandmaster. At just 10 years and five months old, she achieved this remarkable feat by defeating 60-year-old Grandmaster Peter Wells during the final round of this year’s British Chess Championships held in Liverpool.
The International Chess Federation (FIDE), the sport’s global governing body, celebrated her achievement in a recent post, stating, “British sensation Bodhana Sivanandan has made history by becoming the youngest female chess player ever to beat a grandmaster!” FIDE noted that Sivanandan’s victory narrowly surpassed the previous record set in 2019 by American Carissa Yip, who was 10 years, 11 months, and 20 days old at the time of her win.
This victory not only adds to Sivanandan’s accolades but also earns her the title of Woman International Master (WIM), which is the second-highest title awarded exclusively to women, just below that of Woman Grandmaster.
Sivanandan’s journey in chess has been nothing short of extraordinary. Earlier in 2023, she became the youngest person ever selected to represent England internationally in any sport. At the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, she played alongside teammates who were often decades older, many in their 20s, 30s, and 40s.
Malcolm Pein, manager of the England chess team, expressed his admiration for Sivanandan, stating, “Bodhana is one of the most remarkable British chess prodigies I have ever seen.” Her accomplishments at such a young age have not only inspired her peers but also garnered attention from the global chess community.
As Sivanandan continues to make strides in the chess world, her recent victory serves as a testament to her talent and dedication to the game. With her sights set on future competitions, many are eager to see how her career unfolds in the coming years.
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