Chess prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan, aged 11, has broken a world age record that stood for 38 years by defeating a grandmaster rated over 2600. The English schoolgirl achieved this remarkable feat at the Dole Trophy in France, beating France's top grandmaster Marc'Andria Maurizzi.
How Bodhana Sivanandan Made Chess History
On Saturday, Bodhana Sivanandan, a talented young player from Harrow, faced off against 19-year-old French grandmaster Marc'Andria Maurizzi, who had a rating of 2628. Maurizzi is the current French champion and was the world under-20 junior champion in 2023. The game saw Maurizzi hold the advantage for the first 27 moves, but a critical blunder allowed Sivanandan to win his queen for inadequate compensation, securing her victory.
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Breaking the Record Set by Judit Polgar
This victory surpasses the previous record held by the legendary Judit Polgar, who defeated GM Lajos Portisch in 1988 at the age of 12 years and two months. Sivanandan achieved this at just 11 years and four months, making her the youngest girl ever to defeat a 2600+ rated grandmaster. She now joins an elite group of pre-teen prodigies, including Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Faustino Oro, Roman Shogdzhiev, and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu.
Bodhana Sivanandan's Stellar Performance in the Tournament
While Sivanandan lost in the second round to Israeli international master Benny Aizenberg, she bounced back strongly in the third round, drawing with GM Maxim Rodshtein, Israel's No. 2 player with a peak rating of 2710. Rodshtein's achievements include winning the Israel Championship and the prestigious Rilton Cup. As of the sixth round, Sivanandan had scored three points against mostly higher-rated opponents, putting her in contention for her second women's grandmaster (WGM) norm. She already earned her first WGM norm at age 10, another world age record, at the same Dole Open in 2025. In the seventh round, she drew with France's No. 2 player, further demonstrating her remarkable skill.
Comparison of Young Chess Prodigies
| Player | Age at First GM Win (2600+) | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Bodhana Sivanandan | 11 years, 4 months | Defeated GM Marc'Andria Maurizzi (2628) |
| Judit Polgar | 12 years, 2 months | Defeated GM Lajos Portisch |
| Nodirbek Abdusattorov | 9 years | Youngest ever to beat a 2600+ GM |
| Faustino Oro | 10 years | Argentine prodigy |
| Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu | 11 years, 1 month | Indian grandmaster |
Key Takeaways from Bodhana Sivanandan's Record
- World age record: Youngest girl to defeat a grandmaster rated above 2600.
- Elite company: Joins a shortlist of pre-teen prodigies who have accomplished similar feats.
- WGM norms: On track to earn her second WGM norm at the same tournament.
- Resilience: Bounced back from a loss to draw with a former 2700+ rated grandmaster.
FAQ
Who is Bodhana Sivanandan?
Bodhana Sivanandan is an 11-year-old English chess prodigy from Harrow, London. She has broken multiple world age records, including becoming the youngest girl to defeat a grandmaster rated over 2600.
What record did Bodhana Sivanandan break?
She broke the record held by Judit Polgar since 1988 for the youngest girl to beat a grandmaster rated above 2600. Sivanandan achieved this at 11 years and 4 months, compared to Polgar's 12 years and 2 months.
Who did Bodhana Sivanandan defeat to set the record?
She defeated French grandmaster Marc'Andria Maurizzi, rated 2628, in the first round of the Dole Trophy in Aix-en-Provence, France.
What is a WGM norm?
A WGM norm is a performance standard required to earn the title of Woman Grandmaster. Bodhana Sivanandan earned her first WGM norm at age 10 and is now seeking a second norm at the Dole Open.
Chess fans around the world are watching Bodhana Sivanandan's progress with excitement. Her latest achievement cements her status as one of the most promising young talents in the game. Stay tuned to GrandGoldman for more updates on rising stars in chess and other gaming fields.
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