British 10-Year-Old Bodhana Sivanandan Beats Former World Chess Champion

Ten-year-old British chess prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan, of Indian Tamil heritage, has achieved a historic victory by defeating former Women's World Champion Grandmaster Mariya Muzychuk at the 2025 European Club Cup in Rhodes, Greece. This win marks Bodhana as one of the youngest players ever to beat a former world champion and highlights her rapid ascent in the chess world, having earlier become the youngest female to defeat a grandmaster and earn a Woman Grandmaster norm. Despite her team's 3-1 loss to Turkish Airlines, Bodhana's individual performance has been widely praised by prominent grandmasters, including Danny Gormally, David Howell, and Susan Polgar, who noted the significance and style of her victory. Born and raised in London to parents from Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, Bodhana's accomplishments have invigorated British chess, signaling a promising new generation of talent. Her achievements include breaking records previously held by notable players like Carissa Yip and Hou Yifan, emphasizing her exceptional skill and potential. Bodhana's rise has captured attention both in the UK and internationally, suggesting a bright future ahead for the young chess star.