New Delhi: Bodhana Sivanandan has made chess history by becoming the youngest female International Master (IM) at just 11 years old, breaking a record that had stood for 38 years and was set by Hungarian chess legend Judit Polgar.
The Indian-origin English player, who comes from Harrow in north London, secured the prestigious title following a strong performance at the European Women’s Chess Club Cup 2026. Her achievement also places her among the 10 youngest players ever to earn the open International Master title.
Representing She Plays to Win Lionesses, Sivanandan scored 5.5 points from seven games on the top board. Her final-round victory confirmed the historic milestone and established her as the youngest female player to achieve the IM title.
Sivanandan’s tournament campaign featured several challenging encounters against experienced opponents. She narrowly missed a draw in her opening-round game against Russian Grandmaster Aleksandra Goryachkina before bouncing back with a third-round victory over Belarusian International Master Olga Badelka.
That win lifted her rating to 2399.4, bringing her within striking distance of the required level. She subsequently drew against Georgian Grandmaster Nino Batsiashvili before producing a decisive performance in the next stage of her campaign.
A 32-move victory over Sweden’s Woman International Master Viktoria Johansson proved crucial in securing the distinction.
The record-breaking achievement adds Sivanandan’s name to an elite group of young chess talents who have earned the International Master title at an exceptionally early age. The list includes Indian stars R Praggnanandhaa and D Gukesh, Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Argentina’s Faustino Oro, Turkey’s Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus and Russia’s Roman Shogdzhiev.
Sivanandan’s accomplishment marks another significant milestone in her rapid rise through international chess. At just 11, she has already established herself as one of the sport’s most promising young talents, with her latest record highlighting her potential to achieve even greater success in the years ahead.
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