10-yr-old British-Indian Bodhana Sivanandan defeats Grandmaster Peter Wells
2025 British Chess Championships
LIVERPOOL: Bodhana Sivanandan, a 10-year-old British chess player of Indian descent, made history at the 2025 British Chess Championships by defeating Grandmaster Peter Wells in the tournament’s final round. The chess prodigy set a new record as the youngest female player to beat a grandmaster, surpassing the previous mark set by American Carissa Yip in 2019, reported The Indian Express.
Born and raised in London, Bodhana’s family originally hails from Trichy, Tamil Nadu. Her father, Sivanandan Velayutham, an IT professional, relocated the family to the UK in 2007. At a very young age Bodhana became a prominent figure in British chess circles. She was also invited to 10 Downing Street by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in 2023.
Young Bodhana uses a cushioned seat to reach the chessboard. Her father said that she began playing at five after discovering a chessboard at home. Initially, he supported her learning by downloading free instructional videos on Chess.com, not expecting her to pursue the game seriously.
Since then, Bodhana has garnered three world junior titles. Her victory over the experienced 60-year-old Wells was a surprise, as she faced considerable difficulty mid-game. By the 19th move, Wells’ knights were threatening her king and by the 26th move, she seemed likely to lose. Even at move 37, the outlook was bleak. However, a tactical error by Wells followed by precise moves from Bodhana reversed the position, leading to Wells’ resignation. English Chess Federation commentator Danny Gormally described the win as almost magical.
She chose to compete in the open event. Bodhana earned 24 rating points with her win and her joint was placed 26th open category. Her favourite players are Judit Polgar and Magnus Carlsen.
According to the report, Bodhana appreciates the way chess uses the brain and involves strategy and calculation. Bodhana also plays piano and violin.
Tim Wall, Director of Junior Chess at the English Chess Federation, lauding Bodhana's poise and maturity on the board, said that she would reach the grandmaster level within three to four years.
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Two people killed as poultry vehicle rams into parked truck in Belagavi
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): Two people were killed, and another was severely injured after a goods vehicle transporting poultry birds allegedly rammed into a stationary truck on a national highway in Belagavi in the early hours of Tuesday, police said.
The deceased have been identified as Wasim (28) and Mubarak (22), both natives of Shivamogga district, they said.
The driver of the vehicle, Basavaraj Eerappa Hanchinamani (37), suffered critical injuries and has been admitted to a hospital, police said.
According to police, the accident occurred when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, allegedly due to drowsiness, and crashed into a truck parked along the highway.
The goods vehicle was en route from Kolhapur to Sorab in Shivamogga district, carrying poultry. Several chickens were also killed in the impact, a senior police officer said.
Police personnel from the Hirebagewadi Police Station visited the spot and conducted an inspection.
Injured people and the bodies of the deceased were shifted to a hospital, police added.
