Eleven-year-old English chess player Bodhana Sivanandan made headlines last weekend by defeating France’s 2628-rated grandmaster Marc’Andria Maurizzi in the opening round of the Dole Trophy tournament held in Aix-en-Provence. Maurizzi, 19, who was the world under-20 junior champion in 2023 and holds the current French national title, fell to Sivanandan’s unexpected tactical play despite holding the advantage for the first 27 moves. The young prodigy’s maneuver forced Maurizzi into a position where he lost his queen for insufficient compensation, securing a historic victory.

This win marks a new age record for the youngest girl to defeat a grandmaster rated over 2600. Before Sivanandan, the record was held by Judit Polgar, the former world number one among women, who triumphed over GM Lajos Portisch during the 1988 Hungarian Championship at the age of 12 years and two months. Sivanandan’s achievement at just 11 years and four months also puts her among the five youngest players globally to defeat a 2600+ rated grandmaster, joining the ranks of notable players such as Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Faustino Oro, Roman Shogdzhiev, and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu.

Following her breakthrough win, Sivanandan’s momentum slowed slightly when she lost to Israeli international master Benny Aizenberg in round two. However, she rebounded in round three by drawing against GM Maxim Rodshtein, Israel’s second-ranked grandmaster. Her strong performance continued with a draw against France’s No. 24 grandmaster Paul Velten, rated 2490, in the tournament’s seventh round.

After seven rounds, Sivanandan accumulated 3.5 points and appears poised to secure her second Woman Grandmaster (WGM) norm with two draws in the remaining weekend rounds. She previously earned her first WGM norm at the same event in 2025 at age 10, setting a separate age record.

Sivanandan’s performances have drawn widespread attention, highlighting her as one of the most promising young talents in international chess. The Dole Trophy continues through the weekend, with observers eager to see if the rising star can maintain her form and achieve further milestones.