Bodhana Sivanandan: At 11, Just 0.6 Rating Points From the World Record

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Bodhana Sivanandan: At 11, she is just 0.6 rating points away from the world record.

On Friday, October 23, 2026, Bodhana Sivanandan is just 0.6 rating points away from a historic feat at the European Club Cup. The chess player from Harrow is only 11 years old and has a rating of 2399.4. According to The Guardian, she is only a few rating points short of qualifying for the open International Master title while breaking Judit Polgar’s world record. For chess fans, her next successful move could therefore make chess history on the spot.

2399.4: How Close Sivanandan Is to the 2400 Mark

In the third round, Sivanandan defeated her opponent, an International Master. That game took her to 2399.4 rating points, while The Guardian cites 2400 as the required mark. The difference is therefore just 0.6 rating points.

The report also counts Sivanandan among the ten youngest chess players in history to reach a rating of 2400. Those named include Roman Shogdzhiev, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Faustino Oro and Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus. The young British player from Harrow is exceptionally close to another major title with her rating of 2399.4.

Round One: Almost Against Goryachkina, Then Victory Over the IM Opponent

The road to the brink of the record did not begin with an easy win. Against grandmaster Aleksandra Goryachkina, a former world championship contender, Sivanandan came very close to a draw in the first round. In the third round, she then faced an International Master, whom she defeated. The report does not name this opponent.

One thing is certain: Her victory in round three fed directly into Sivanandan’s rating of 2399.4. Two games against strong opponents form the sporting backdrop to the record attempt—without the world record having already been broken.

Draw Against Batsiashvili: A Winning Position Did Not Produce a Win

In her next game, Sivanandan faced grandmaster Nino Batsiashvili, who is rated significantly higher at 2426 rating points. Against him, a winning position ended in a draw. The Guardian gives neither a reason for the subsequent drop in her rating nor the move that led to the equalizer.

As far as the record is concerned, this means: The game gave Sivanandan no additional rating point. The example also shows that her exceptional rating did not guarantee success. A good position did not automatically translate into a victory.

What Sivanandan Could Make History By on Friday

The report is unequivocal: Sivanandan needs just a few more rating points to qualify for the open International Master title while also breaking Judit Polgar’s world record. If she accomplishes both, the 11-year-old chess player will be the youngest international master in chess history.

The key word is “can”. The Guardian has not yet reported the outcome of Friday’s competition, but describes the situation before the possible record attempt. Sivanandan’s rating of 2399.4 and her draw against Batsiashvili are confirmed; at the time of the report, the world record has not yet been broken.

The Sober State of Play Ahead of the Decisive Day

The headline does not claim that Sivanandan has already broken the world record. The situation is clear: She is 0.6 rating points short, the title candidate is very young and the gap is conceivable narrow. Precisely for that reason, it will only be decided on Friday whether her highest rating is enough for a historic record entry. The detailed original report by The Guardian summarizes the situation.