Bodhana Sivanandan, an 11-year-old schoolgirl from Harrow, has made a significant mark in the world of chess by securing her first international master (IM) norm at the Dole Trophy tournament in Aix-en-Provence, France. This achievement makes her the youngest girl ever to reach this milestone, breaking the previous record held by Judit Polgar, who attained the IM norm at 11 years and nine months. Sivanandan managed to accomplish this nearly five months earlier than Polgar, and her path to this success was reportedly more demanding.
This record-breaking accomplishment adds to Bodhana’s growing reputation as a leading young talent in chess. Her rapid progress continues to draw international interest, highlighting her potential to shape the future of the game. With such early success, she stands out among emerging players and promises to be a significant figure in competitive chess circles.