Chess prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan, an 11-year-old from Harrow, England, made history by defeating French grandmaster Marc'Andria Maurizzi, becoming the youngest girl ever to beat a 2600+ rated GM. This remarkable feat shatters a world age record that stood for 38 years, previously held by legendary Judit Polgar.
How Bodhana Sivanandan Set the New Record
In the opening round of the Dole Trophy in Aix-en-Provence, Sivanandan faced Maurizzi, the 2023 world under-20 junior champion and current French champion, rated 2628. The game saw Maurizzi hold the advantage for the first 27 moves before blundering into a tactic that cost him his queen. At just 11 years and four months, Sivanandan surpassed Polgar's record, who defeated a GM at 12 years and two months in 1988.
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This victory also places Sivanandan among the five youngest pre-teens to defeat a 2600+ rated GM, following prodigies like Nodirbek Abdusattorov (9), Faustino Oro (10), and Roman Shogdzhiev and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu (both 11 years one month).
Performance Beyond the Record
Although Sivanandan lost in round two to Israeli international master Benny Aizenberg, she rebounded in round three with a draw against GM Maxim Rodshtein, Israel's No. 2 player with a peak rating of 2710. After six rounds, she had scored three points against mostly higher-rated opponents and remained in contention for her second norm toward the women's grandmaster title. She earned her first WGM norm at age 10—another world age record—at the same Dole Open in 2025. In round seven, she drew with France's No. 2 player, further showcasing her elite potential.
Comparison of Youngest Girls to Defeat a 2600+ GM
| Player | Age at Record | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodhana Sivanandan | 11 years 4 months | GM Marc'Andria Maurizzi (2628) | 2025 |
| Judit Polgar | 12 years 2 months | GM Lajos Portisch | 1988 |
Key Takeaways from Bodhana Sivanandan's Historic Achievement
- She broke a 38-year-old world age record for girls defeating a 2600+ rated grandmaster.
- Her victory over Maurizzi highlights exceptional tactical skill and composure under pressure.
- She is now among the top five pre-teens globally to beat a 2600+ GM.
- She needs two more norms to earn the women's grandmaster title, with her first already achieved at age 10.
- Her draws against strong GMs like Maxim Rodshtein show consistency at the highest level.
FAQ
What record did Bodhana Sivanandan break?
She became the youngest girl ever to defeat a grandmaster rated over 2600, breaking the 38-year-old record held by Judit Polgar.
How old is Bodhana Sivanandan?
She is 11 years old (11 years and four months at the time of the record).
What is the women's grandmaster title and how close is she?
The WGM title requires three norms. Sivanandan earned her first at age 10 and is now working toward her second norm during the Dole Trophy.
Who else has achieved similar feats?
Only four other pre-teens have defeated a 2600+ GM: Nodirbek Abdusattorov (9), Faustino Oro (10), Roman Shogdzhiev (11 years 1 month), and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu (11 years 1 month).
Bodhana Sivanandan's rise is a testament to her extraordinary talent and dedication. As she continues the Dole Trophy, the chess world watches eagerly to see if she can secure her second WGM norm and further cement her legacy as one of the brightest chess prodigies of our time.
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