Chess Prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan Breaks World Age Record at 11 2026

Chess prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan, 11, has broken another world age record at the Dole Trophy, achieving her first international master (IM) norm and surpassing Judit Polgar's long-standing record. This remarkable feat highlights the young English talent's extraordinary skill and determination on the global chess stage.

How Bodhana Sivanandan Made Chess History

Bodhana Sivanandan competed in the Dole Trophy in Aix-en-Provence, France, where she faced a challenging field that included grandmasters and international masters. Despite a slow start, she surged in the final rounds to secure her historic IM norm. Her performance rating of 2463 exceeded the minimum 2450 required, showcasing her elite-level play at just 11 years old.

This achievement breaks the previous record held by Judit Polgar, who earned her first IM norm at 11 years and nine months. Sivanandan accomplished this nearly five months younger, against arguably tougher opposition, including the reigning French champion Marc'Andria Maurizzi.

The Epic Final Round Battle

In her final game against US international master Samrug Narayanan, Sivanandan fought a marathon 99-move, six-hour draw. The game was a queen's pawn opening that evolved into a complex rook and minor piece ending, where she defended tenaciously. Narayanan missed a difficult win, allowing Sivanandan to secure the draw and her norm.

This endurance test demonstrated not only her technical skill but also her mental resilience, as she and Narayanan were the last players remaining among 150 boards.

Comparison: Sivanandan vs. Polgar vs. Hou Yifan

This table illustrates how Sivanandan's achievement stands out, as she faced a higher-rated field and still outperformed the norm requirement.

What This Means for Her Chess Career

With this IM norm, Sivanandan also earned her second women's grandmaster (WGM) norm. If she secures a third WGM norm before age 12 years and four months, she will become the youngest WGM in history, breaking Kateryna Lagno's record. Her upcoming tournaments this weekend and in September present immediate opportunities to achieve this milestone.

Key Takeaways from Bodhana Sivanandan's Record

• At 11, she broke Judit Polgar's IM norm age record by almost five months.
• Her performance rating of 2463 exceeded the 2450 IM norm requirement.
• She also achieved her second WGM norm, putting her on track for the WGM title.
• Her final-round draw was a 99-move, six-hour marathon, showcasing her stamina and focus.
• She is now a serious contender for the youngest WGM title in chess history.

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