10-Year-Old London Chess Star Makes History as Master
A 10-year-old chess prodigy from north-west London has made history by becoming the youngest person ever to earn the woman international master title.
Bodhana Sivanandan, from Harrow, also set another record earlier this month when she became the youngest female player to defeat a chess grandmaster, beating 60-year-old Peter Wells in the final round of the 2025 British Chess Championships in Liverpool.
Bodhana’s rise in the chess world has been remarkable. She first picked up the game during the COVID-19 lockdown at the age of five, after finding a chessboard among some second-hand toys and books.
Despite having no family background in the game, she quickly developed her skills, eventually representing England at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Hungary, believed to be the youngest person to represent the country internationally in any sport.
Her achievement demonstrates the power of opportunity and recognition in nurturing talent. It reflects the child’s right to participation, which ensures that every young person can freely take part in cultural, artistic, and recreational activities and have their abilities recognized and valued in society.
