Chess: Sivanandan qualifies as youngest female international master
The Guardian reports that the 11-year-old beat Viktoria Johansson in 32 moves at the European Club Cup to surpass Judit Polgar’s 38-year-old record.
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The Guardian reports that the 11-year-old beat Viktoria Johansson in 32 moves at the European Club Cup to surpass Judit Polgar’s 38-year-old record.
Bodhana Sivanandan, an 11-year-old chess player from Harrow in England, completed her international master qualification by defeating Sweden’s Viktoria Johansson in 32 moves at the European Club Cup on October 23, 2026, the Guardian reports.
The newspaper reports that Sivanandan surpassed Judit Polgar’s record as the youngest female international master, which had stood for 38 years. Her win came in the final round as her team, She Plays to Win, won its match 4–0.
The open international master title is not restricted to women. Qualification required Sivanandan to reach a rating of 2400 and complete three norms—tournament performances that meet the title’s qualifying standard.
After her third-round victory, Sivanandan’s rating stood at 2399.4, just below the required mark. Before the final round, the Guardian reported that she still needed her third and final norm. Its account of her victory over Johansson reported that she had completed the qualification and joined the 10 youngest international masters of all time.
The reported achievement is completion of the playing requirements. Formal ratification of the title has not been confirmed.
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