Bodhana Sivanandan Shatters Records at Dole Open: Youngest Girl to Achieve IM Norm and Defeat 2600-Rated Player

Eleven-Year-Old Chess Prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan Breaks Records at Dole Open

Aix-en-Provence, France — Eleven-year-old chess sensation Bodhana Sivanandan has once again made headlines, shattering records at the Dole Open held from July 18-26. With her remarkable performance, Bodhana became the youngest girl ever to achieve an international master (IM) norm and the youngest girl known to defeat a player rated over 2600 in classical chess.

Competing in a fiercely contested nine-round Masters tournament featuring nearly 300 players and a €30,000 prize fund, Bodhana finished with a score of 5/9, achieving a performance rating of 2463. This included facing four grandmasters and two international masters, a feat that underscores her extraordinary talent.

In a stunning opening round, Bodhana secured the biggest win of her young career by defeating Marc’Andria Maurizzi, a 2628-rated grandmaster and the reigning French Champion. Despite Maurizzi holding the advantage for much of the game, a critical blunder on move 27 allowed Bodhana to seize control, ultimately leading to his resignation on move 39.

At just 11 years, 4 months, and 11 days old, Bodhana’s victory over Maurizzi not only marks her as the youngest girl to defeat a grandmaster rated over 2600 but also places her among a select group of players in chess history to achieve such a milestone at a young age. The record was previously held by Hou Yifan, who defeated a grandmaster shortly before her 13th birthday.

Bodhana’s achievements don’t stop there. She secured her second WGM norm with one round remaining in the tournament. In the final round, she held IM Samrug Narayanan to a draw, clinching her IM norm and further solidifying her place in chess history. This accomplishment makes her the youngest girl to achieve an IM norm, breaking a record previously held by the legendary Judit Polgar.

Her journey in the chess world has been nothing short of meteoric. At the age of eight, she became England’s first World Youth Champion in 25 years, sweeping the girls’ under-eight world titles with a perfect score. By nine, she had already made headlines as the youngest player to score a WIM norm and represent England at a Chess Olympiad.

Bodhana’s record-breaking performance at the Dole Open adds to her impressive list of accolades, which includes:

• Youngest national women’s chess champion
• Youngest player known to score a WIM norm
• Youngest player to score a WGM norm
• Youngest girl to defeat a grandmaster in classical chess

As she continues to break barriers, Bodhana now has two WGM norms and one IM norm under her belt. She needs one more WGM norm to complete that title and two additional norms along with a 2400 rating to earn the IM title.

The Dole Open also saw notable performances from other players, including GM Haik Martirosyan, who won the tournament on tiebreaks, and GM Aksel Bu Kvaloy, who made headlines by defeating two-time Candidates winner Ian Nepomniachtchi.

Bodhana Sivanandan’s remarkable achievements at such a young age not only inspire her peers but also signal a bright future for the world of chess. As she continues her journey, the chess community eagerly anticipates her next moves on the board.