Archive · 24 Jul 2026
11-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan sets chess world record
Bodhana Sivanandan, an 11-year-old girl from England, made history by beating a very strong chess player named Marc'Andria Maurizzi.
This win set a new world record for the youngest girl to defeat a grandmaster with a high rating.
Bodhana played in a big chess tournament called the Dole Trophy.
Even though she lost her next game, she showed she's a tough competitor by tying with another strong player.
This is a big deal because it shows how talented she is at such a young age.
Bodhana Sivanandan, 11, defeated French Grandmaster Marc'Andria Maurizzi, setting a new world age record.
The victory was achieved in the opening round of the Dole Trophy in Aix-en-Provence.
Maurizzi, with a FIDE rating of 2628, is the highest-rated grandmaster Sivanandan has defeated.
Sivanandan became the fifth-youngest player to defeat a grandmaster rated above 2600.
She lost to Israeli International Master Benny Aizenberg in the second round but held Israeli Grandmaster Maxim Rodshtein to a draw in the third round.
- Who
- Bodhana Sivanandan, an 11-year-old chess prodigy from England
- What
- Set a new world age record by defeating French Grandmaster Marc'Andria Maurizzi
- When
- During the opening round of the Dole Trophy in Aix-en-Provence
- Where
- Aix-en-Provence, France
- Why
- To showcase her exceptional talent and potential in the chess world
Chess Achievement
Chess Competition
Record Setting Victory
Chess Achievement
Bodhana Sivanandan defeated French Grandmaster Marc'Andria Maurizzi, setting a new world age record for the youngest girl to defeat a grandmaster rated above 2600.
Chess Competition
The victory was achieved in the opening round of the Dole Trophy in Aix-en-Provence, showcasing Sivanandan's exceptional talent and potential in the chess world.
Challenges in Subsequent Rounds
Chess Achievement
Sivanandan lost to Israeli International Master Benny Aizenberg in the second round but bounced back by holding Israeli Grandmaster Maxim Rodshtein to a draw in the third round.
Chess Competition
Despite the setback, her performance against Rodshtein, who is Israel's second-highest-ranked player, demonstrated her resilience and ability to compete at a high level.
- Player
- Bodhana Sivanandan
- Age
- 11 years and four months
- Opponent
- Marc'Andria Maurizzi
- Opponent's Rating
- 2628
- Tournament
- Dole Trophy in Aix-en-Provence
- Record Set
- Youngest girl to defeat a grandmaster rated above 2600
- Previous Record Holder
- Judit Polgar
- Previous Record Age
- 12 years and two months