11-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan breaks Judit Polgar’s 38-year-old record to qualify for International Master

Eleven-year-old British chess prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan has become the youngest female player to qualify for the International Master title, the Times of India reported on October 24, 2026.

Her achievement broke Judit Polgar’s 38-year-old record. The English Chess Federation described her as a "generational talent." Already the youngest Woman Grandmaster qualifier, Bodhana has achieved several historic milestones and is now aiming to become a Grandmaster, chess’s highest title.