Published Time: 08-16-2025, 14:00

A young chess talent from London has etched her name into history books after defeating a seasoned grandmaster at just 10 years old. Bodhana Sivanandan’s remarkable victory not only broke a longstanding record but also highlighted her rise as one of the most promising figures in international chess.

Historic Victory in Liverpool

Bodhana Sivanandan, a 10-year-old player from northwest London, stunned the chess community on Sunday by defeating grandmaster Pete Wells, 60, during the final round of the 2025 British Chess Championships held in Liverpool.

According to the International Chess Federation (FIDE), Sivanandan, who is just 10 years, five months, and three days old, is now the youngest female player ever to beat a grandmaster in a classical tournament game. The record was previously held by American Carissa Yip, who achieved the milestone in 2019 at 10 years, 11 months, and 20 days.

Chess enthusiasts and experts have described the achievement as a defining moment, noting the maturity and tactical depth displayed by such a young competitor.

A Rapid Rise Through the Ranks

With this victory, Sivanandan has now earned the title of Woman International Master (WIM), a significant step toward the higher titles available in professional chess. The WIM ranking is one level below Woman Grandmaster (WGM), a female-exclusive designation. Above these lies the most prestigious title in the sport — Grandmaster (GM) — currently held by leading figures such as reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju and former World Champion Magnus Carlsen, the world’s top-ranked player.

Her achievement at such a young age underscores the growing diversity and inclusivity within chess, which has traditionally been dominated by older and more experienced competitors.

Early Beginnings During the Pandemic

In an interview with the BBC last year, Bodhana’s father revealed that no one in their family had a history of competitive chess. Her introduction to the game happened by chance during the Covid-19 pandemic when she was five years old.

“One of my dad’s friends gave us some toys and books,” Bodhana explained in a BBC interview. “In one of the bags, I saw a chessboard, and I was interested in the pieces. At first, I wanted to use them as toys, but my dad suggested I learn the game instead. That’s how it all started.”

This spontaneous discovery quickly turned into a passion. Within a few short years, her skills developed rapidly, earning her recognition in local and national tournaments before making her way into international competitions.

Recognition and Support from the Chess Community

Bodhana’s victory has been celebrated widely across the global chess community. Experts have praised her tactical awareness, composure under pressure, and ability to calculate complex positions at an age when most children are only beginning to learn the basics.

Chess coaches and analysts note that early exposure to competitive play combined with consistent practice has been key to her success. Her performance at the British Chess Championships is expected to open doors for her to compete in elite-level tournaments across Europe and beyond.

A New Era for Young Female Players

Her accomplishment carries particular significance for young female players in chess, a field where gender imbalance has long been recognized. According to FIDE statistics, women still represent a small minority of competitive chess players worldwide, and very few hold grandmaster titles compared to their male counterparts.

By setting this new record, Bodhana Sivanandan provides inspiration for aspiring female players around the globe. Experts suggest that her success could help encourage more young girls to take up the game and pursue competitive opportunities.

Looking Ahead

While she has already broken barriers, Sivanandan’s journey in chess is only just beginning. Her new WIM title provides a foundation to build on, and many in the chess community believe she has the potential to reach even greater heights in the coming years.

Whether or not she chooses to pursue the prestigious grandmaster title, her victory in Liverpool has already established her as one of the brightest young stars in the sport.

A Moment of Pride for British Chess

Sivanandan’s success adds to the growing recognition of British chess talent on the international stage. Her historic win not only cements her personal achievement but also shines a spotlight on the United Kingdom’s role in fostering young talent in the game.

As Bodhana continues her journey, her story stands as a testament to perseverance, curiosity, and the limitless possibilities that come when passion meets opportunity.

Source: CNN – 10-year-old chess prodigy becomes youngest female player to defeat grandmaster

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BERLIN — Chess legend Magnus Carlsen is locked in an unprecedented online showdown against not just one opponent, but 140,000 people from around the globe. This unique battle, dubbed “Magnus Carlsen vs. The World,” is capturing the imagination of chess fans everywhere — and it might just end in a surprising draw.

The match kicked off on April 4 on Chess.com, the world’s biggest chess platform, marking the first time a reigning world champion has faced a crowd of this size in an online freestyle chess game. Unlike traditional chess, this freestyle format shuffles the bishops, knights, rooks, queen, and king randomly across the board, while pawns stay in their usual places — giving both sides plenty of room for creative moves.

While experts initially predicted a decisive win for Carlsen, the collective Team World has played a cautious but incredibly solid game. They’ve steadily chipped away at the advantage he built early on. Now, the game seems headed for a draw by perpetual check — a rare and fascinating outcome in high-level chess.

Carlsen himself weighed in on the match, saying, “I felt I was a little better early in the opening, but I didn’t play that precisely. Since then, they haven’t given me a single chance. It looks like it’s heading toward a draw.” He praised Team World’s steady play, noting, “Maybe they didn’t go for the most daring moves, but their solid, normal chess worked well.”

How Does Team World Play?

Here’s the twist: Team World decides every move by voting, with each side having 24 hours to make their play. For most participants, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to say they’ve played chess against Magnus Carlsen himself.

Mike Klein, a senior journalist at Chess.com, shared, “I think people will be thrilled just to say they were part of a draw against Magnus Carlsen.” Klein, who has played Carlsen in casual blitz matches before, admitted, “He beat me twice without much effort — I’d have happily taken a draw.”

Magnus Carlsen: Chess’s Superstar

Carlsen’s rise to chess stardom began early — he became a grandmaster at just 13. Since 2011, he’s held the title of the world’s top-ranked player, winning five World Championships and setting the highest-ever rating in history (2882 in 2014). His dominance in the chess world has lasted over a decade.

Carlsen is also known for his larger-than-life personality. Last year, he made headlines by refusing to change out of his jeans at a New York tournament, which resulted in a $200 fine and a relaxed dress code for future events. In a show of generosity, he auctioned those very jeans for charity, raising over $36,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

A History of ‘Vs. The World’ Matches

This event is the latest in a line of famous “vs. The World” matches. In 1999, legendary Russian grandmaster Garry Kasparov faced over 50,000 players on Microsoft’s online network, ultimately winning after a four-month battle. Kasparov called it “the greatest game in the history of chess.”

Mike Klein, who was a chess camp instructor at the time, remembers starting each day by reviewing Kasparov’s moves and planning replies with his students.

More recently, Indian grandmaster Viswanathan Anand won his own “vs. The World” match on Chess.com last year against nearly 70,000 players.

This time, Carlsen’s match smashed that record, doubling the number of participants and setting a new benchmark for online chess battles.

Source: AP News – Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen faces showdown against ‘the world.’ Will it end in a draw?

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Magnus Carlsen, widely regarded as the world’s best chess player, has officially ruled out a return to the classical World Chess Championship. Despite being a five-time world champion, Carlsen last held the title in 2021 and has since chosen not to compete, citing a lack of motivation.

Shifting Focus Away from Classical Chess

Carlsen’s decision to step away from the classical championship has fueled tensions with the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the governing body of the event. In a recent interview with Reuters, he reaffirmed that a comeback is highly unlikely.

“I don’t see that at the moment. I think it’s very, very unlikely,” Carlsen stated when asked if he would ever compete for the title again.

Instead, the Norwegian grandmaster has redirected his focus toward modern chess formats that align with the game’s growing popularity. He has been actively promoting Freestyle Chess, a variant where the back-rank pieces start in random positions, and has joined this year’s Esports World Cup (EWC), representing Team Liquid.

Clashes with FIDE and Alternative Competitions

Carlsen’s rocky relationship with FIDE was evident during last year’s World Rapid Chess Championship, where he was penalized for a dress-code violation involving jeans. This incident was just one of several conflicts between Carlsen and chess’s governing body.

Additionally, his shared victory with Ian Nepomniachtchi at the World Blitz Championship sparked controversy, further highlighting the growing divide between Carlsen and traditional chess institutions.

“I’m not really very interested in what FIDE is doing,” Carlsen told Reuters. “I’m sort of trying to do my things, being with the Esports World Cup, Chess.com, Freestyle.”

He also acknowledged that FIDE’s main prestige lies in the classical World Chess Championship but emphasized that he has no interest in challenging it.

“FIDE’s crown jewel is the classical world championship, right? That’s what gives FIDE legacy and legitimacy, and none of us are going after that,” he explained. “So I think we’ll sort of coexist. I’m happy not playing the classical world championship. I’m kind of done with that and now I’m following it as a fan.”

Proving He’s Still the Best

While Carlsen has distanced himself from the classical format, he remains determined to prove his dominance in the evolving chess landscape. At 34 years old, he will compete in the upcoming EWC, where matches will be played in the Rapid format—similar to classical chess but with a time control of 10 to 60 minutes per game.

Carlsen believes this format will favor experienced players over younger challengers.

“It takes a little bit more time to build strength in faster formats than it does in classical chess,” he noted. “So I think the old guys (…) will stick around for a bit still.”

He remains confident in his abilities despite the natural challenges of aging. “When it comes to motivation, it’s very hard to say, but I find it hard to believe that my level is just going to drop off a cliff,” he said. “I think there’s certainly going to be some steady decline, but I think I can keep going for at least a few years.”

A Future in Mentorship?

Although Carlsen remains focused on competing, he has expressed interest in mentoring the next generation of chess players. Having once been mentored by chess legend Garry Kasparov, he sees value in passing on his knowledge.

“I mainly enjoy playing, but I don’t rule out [mentoring] for the future. I already enjoy it when younger players ask me for advice,” Carlsen shared. “But for the moment, I really enjoy playing, and I’m really good at it still. So that may be something for the future, but right now, I’m trying to prove that I’m still better than the kids.”

The New Era of Chess

Carlsen’s decision to step away from the classical World Chess Championship signals a shift in the competitive chess landscape. As new formats gain traction and esports collaborations grow, the game is evolving beyond traditional structures. With Carlsen leading the charge, chess is entering a new and dynamic era, offering fresh opportunities for players and fans alike.

Source: CNN – Magnus Carlsen rules out classical World Chess Championship return, shifting focus to new era

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Forty years ago, the world witnessed the most controversial chess match in history—the 1984-85 World Chess Championship between Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov. What was meant to be a battle of intellect and strategy became a symbol of political struggle and Soviet power.

The match lasted five grueling months, the longest in championship history, before being abruptly halted without a winner. To this day, questions linger: Was it really about player exhaustion, or were there hidden forces at play?

A Shocking Announcement

For Russian-born chess grandmaster and émigré Gennadi “Genna” Sosonko, the moment the match was abandoned remains vivid.

“I couldn’t come to the Soviet Union, of course. I was an enemy as far as they were concerned,” he told CNN Sport. “I remember that day very well because I was in Switzerland with Viktor Korchnoi, helping him prepare for one of his own matches. We were listening to the Swiss radio, analyzing, when we heard that (FIDE President Florencio) Campomanes stopped the match.

‘Well, well, well, how is this possible?’”

The match had become more than just a game. It had taken on symbolic meaning:

• If Karpov won, it would affirm the dominance of the Soviet establishment.
• If Kasparov won, it would signal change—something new, fresh, and perhaps threatening.

Instead, after 48 games, no winner was declared. But why?

Chess in the Soviet Union: More Than Just a Game

In the Soviet Union, chess was not just a pastime—it was a national obsession.

“It was more than just a sport,” Sosonko explains. “Chess in Russia was a kind of religion.”

The dominance of Soviet players in the chess world was unparalleled. From 1948 to the end of the 20th century, FIDE organized 23 World Chess Championships. Only one, the 1972 match won by American Bobby Fischer, was not claimed by a Soviet or former-Soviet citizen.

Under Soviet leaders like Khrushchev, Brezhnev, and Andropov, chess was used as propaganda, much like hockey and soccer. Elite players were treated like royalty.

“The conditions for Soviet players were incomparable to those in the West,” Sosonko recalls. “They had carte blanche at restaurants, luxury hotels, and earned unbelievable fees in hard currency.”

At the heart of this system was Anatoly Karpov.

Karpov: The Soviet Champion

By 1984, Karpov had been world champion for a decade. He was more than just a chess player—he was a national symbol.

“He was a Russian from the Ural region and represented the Soviet Union with glamor,” Sosonko explains. “He was a god in Russia.”

As one of the few Soviet citizens allowed to play abroad and collect foreign prize money, Karpov was also among the wealthiest people in the country.

“He was one of only three or four people in the Soviet Union who had a Mercedes. One was Brezhnev, another was (singer) Vladimir Vysotsky, and the third was Karpov,” Sosonko says.

His privileges were unimaginable to the average Soviet citizen.

Kasparov: The Outsider

If Karpov was the embodiment of the Soviet establishment, Kasparov was its challenger.

“He had a couple of weaknesses in the eyes of the big Party guys,” Sosonko notes. “Namely, he was not Russian—he was half-Jewish and half-Armenian, from Baku. And the Soviet Union was very antisemitic.”

Unlike Karpov, who was closely tied to the Communist Party, Kasparov represented something different.

“He wasn’t a dissident, but he was young, ambitious, and connected with people who weren’t for the regime,” Sosonko says.

Even in their playing styles, the contrast was clear:

• Karpov played conservatively, slowly building up his position.
• Kasparov was aggressive, dynamic, and preferred quick victories.

“No one was indifferent,” says American grandmaster Andrew Soltis. “You were either a Karpov fan or a Kasparov fan—there was no middle ground.”

A Marathon Match Turns Controversial

The championship followed the old rules: The first to win six games would be crowned champion, with draws not counting toward the total.

Early Domination by Karpov

• After nine games and 25 days, Karpov led 4-0.
• The next 17 games ended in draws, keeping the score stagnant.
• Karpov finally won game 27, pushing his lead to 5-0—just one win away from defending his title.

Kasparov’s Comeback

But Karpov was faltering. Mistakes crept into his game. In game 32, Kasparov finally won his first match.

• Another 14 games were drawn.
• In games 47 and 48, Kasparov won two more times, bringing the score to 5-3.

Karpov, once dominant, was now struggling.

The Match Is Stopped

After 48 exhausting games, FIDE President Florencio Campomanes made a shocking announcement: The match was being abandoned.

The official reason? Player exhaustion—particularly Karpov’s deteriorating health.

• He had lost 22 pounds over the course of the match.
• He struggled to sleep, staying awake later and later as the match dragged on.

But many questioned whether this was the real reason.

A Hidden Agenda?

Campomanes’ decision to halt the match has been debated ever since.

Was FIDE Under Soviet Influence?

“FIDE was completely under the influence of the Soviet Union,” Sosonko claims. “We knew that Campomanes was on their side.”

Though current FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky disputes this, there were undeniable Soviet ties.

A KGB Connection?

Some even speculated that Campomanes was a KGB agent.

While Sosonko dismisses this as an oversimplification, he acknowledges:

• “He was on the Soviet side in all aspects.”
• “There was this invisible hand benefiting Karpov.”

Deliberate Delays

Soltis points to mysterious postponements as evidence of bias.

“Normally, players could only delay a game for medical reasons,” he explains. “But there were unexplained delays ordered by officials. These always seemed to benefit Karpov.”

Campomanes’ reputation shifted during the match. Initially seen as independent, he was later viewed as working in favor of the Soviets.

The Aftermath: Kasparov’s Legacy

While the 1984-85 championship ended without a winner, history had the final say.

• Later that year, Kasparov defeated Karpov in a rematch to become the youngest world champion in history.
• He then beat Karpov again in the next three World Championship matches.

Today, he is regarded as one of the greatest chess players of all time.

Politics and Chess: Then and Now

The Soviet Union may be gone, but Russia’s use of sports as political propaganda remains.

Soltis notes, “Russia is still trying to use sports, including chess, as a political weapon. A leopard doesn’t change its spots.”

With tensions high in today’s geopolitical climate, the echoes of the 1984-85 championship still resonate. It was more than just a chess match—it was a battle for the future.

Source

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Indian chess prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju has etched his name in history by becoming the youngest-ever world chess champion at just 18 years old. Gukesh clinched the title after defeating defending champion Ding Liren of China in a high-stakes finale on Thursday.

Breaking Records with Historic Win

Gukesh’s victory makes him the youngest world chess champion, surpassing the legendary Garry Kasparov, who held the title at age 22 in 1985. The Chennai-born talent also becomes only the second Indian to achieve this feat, following in the footsteps of five-time champion Viswanathan Anand, who last won in 2012.

The Road to Victory

The 14-game FIDE World Chess Championship, held in Singapore, was a nail-biting affair, with Gukesh and Ding tied with eight draws and two wins each before the final round. Playing with black pieces, Gukesh capitalized on a critical blunder by Ding in the 55th move, when the defending champion mistakenly placed his rook, leading to his swift defeat.

“I didn’t expect to win in that position,” an emotional Gukesh admitted after the game. His victory score of 7.5 to 6.5 secured his place as the 18th world chess champion in history.

A Star Rises from Chennai

Hailing from Chennai, often called India’s chess capital, Gukesh was introduced to chess as a child when his parents—his father, a surgeon, and his mother, a medical professor—enrolled him in after-school chess sessions. Coaches quickly recognized his talent, setting him on a path of rigorous training.

By age 12, Gukesh became a grandmaster, ranking as the third-youngest in history at the time. Known for his calm demeanor and sharp focus, Gukesh credits yoga and mindfulness practices for helping him navigate the pressures of competitive chess.

Ding’s Struggles and Gukesh’s Triumph

Ding Liren, who made history as China’s first world chess champion in 2023, entered the championship under scrutiny. Having taken a break earlier this year due to mental health challenges, Ding showcased glimpses of brilliance, including an opening game win and a Round 12 triumph.

However, in Thursday’s decisive match, the pressure appeared to overwhelm him. His 55th-move error left commentators stunned and handed Gukesh the advantage. Ding resigned three moves later, marking the end of his reign.

Global Acclaim for Gukesh

The victory sparked celebrations worldwide, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi among the first to congratulate the young champion. “Historic and exemplary!” Modi posted on X. “This is the result of unparalleled talent, hard work, and unwavering determination.”

A New Era for Chess

Gukesh’s win is not just a personal triumph but also a significant milestone for Indian chess. With a $2.5 million prize fund at stake, his achievement underscores India’s growing prominence on the global chess stage.

“It’s a proud moment for chess, for India, and for me personally,” Gukesh remarked, capturing the sentiment of a nation celebrating its newest world champion.

Source

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