Chess Prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan, 11, Breaks World Age Record 2026

Chess prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan, 11, has broken another world age record by earning her first international master (IM) norm at the Dole Trophy in Aix-en-Provence, France. This remarkable achievement surpasses the previous record held by Judit Polgar, the all-time No 1 woman, by nearly five months. Sivanandan's historic performance has captured the chess world's attention and solidified her status as one of the brightest young talents in the game.

How Bodhana Sivanandan Made Chess History

At just 11 years old, Bodhana Sivanandan achieved her first IM norm, a feat that required a minimum performance rating of 2450. She performed at an impressive 2463 against a field with an average rating of 2420, which included multiple grandmasters and international masters. This performance not only secured the IM norm but also earned her a second women's grandmaster (WGM) norm, surpassing the 2400 requirement.

The tournament was not without its challenges. After a strong start with a win against reigning French champion Marc'Andria Maurizzi, Sivanandan slipped to 2/5 against tough opposition. However, she showed incredible resilience, winning her last four rounds to finish with a strong score. Her final game against US international master Samrug Narayanan was a marathon 99-move draw lasting six hours, the longest game of the tournament.

Comparison with Judit Polgar's Record

Judit Polgar achieved her first IM norm in April 1988 at the New York Open when she was 11 years and nine months old. Bodhana Sivanandan has now beaten that record by almost five months, completing her norm at just 11 years and four months. This places her on a trajectory to potentially break more records, including the youngest WGM title holder, currently held by Russia's Kateryna Lagno.

What This Means for Her Future

With two WGM norms already secured, Sivanandan needs just one more WGM norm before she turns 12 years and four months to break the age record for the WGM title. Her next opportunities come this weekend and in September, where she will compete in the British Chess Championships and other events. If she continues her current form, she could make history again.

Her performance also corrects a previous misconception: the youngest player to beat a 2600+ rated opponent was not Judit Polgar but Hou Yifan, who defeated Nikita Vitiugov at Aeroflot Moscow 2007 at age 12 years and 11 months. Polgar's win was against Gabor Portisch, not Lajos Portisch as previously noted.

Key Takeaways from Bodhana Sivanandan's Record

• Bodhana Sivanandan, 11, becomes the youngest player ever to earn an IM norm, breaking Judit Polgar's 37-year-old record.
• She performed at 2463, exceeding the 2450 minimum for an IM norm and the 2400 requirement for a WGM norm.
• Her final game was a 99-move draw against IM Samrug Narayanan, showcasing her endurance and defensive skills.
• She now has two WGM norms and needs one more to become the youngest WGM in history.
• Her next competitions are in the coming weeks, providing more chances to set new records.

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