25 Jul 2026
issue 25 July 2026
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Eleven-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan is one of the world’s brightest talents in her age group. A recent jump in her international rating saw her secure the Fide Master title – an important milestone – and in April she became England’s top-rated female player (of any age). She is beginning to collect scalps from grandmaster opposition, including the former women’s world champion Mariya Muzychuk, whom she defeated in a classical game at the European Club Cup in October 2025.
Last week, she got off to a flying start at the Dole Open in Aix-en-Provence. Facing a strong French grandmaster in the first round, Sivanandan was under pressure, but turned the tables thanks to a sharp tactical eye. In the position below, her previous move 27 Bc1-b2 carries the threat of 28 Nc3-d5, whereupon 28…Qxe1 29 Nxf6+ wins. Marc’Andria Maurizzi could avoid that and maintain an edge with a move like 27…Bf6-g7, but the move he chose had a catastrophic drawback.
