Bodhana Sivanandan, an 11-year-old chess prodigy, is on the brink of breaking Judit Polgar’s longstanding world age record. Having recently reached a rating of 2399.4, Sivanandan needs just a few rating points to qualify for the open international master title. Her journey included a near-draw against GM Aleksandra Goryachkina and a decisive victory over her IM opponent in round three of the European Club Cup.

Sivanandan's remarkable performances have already secured her a place among the 10 youngest 2400-rated players in history, joining the ranks of rising stars like Roman Shogdzhiev and Nodirbek Abdusattorov.

Looking ahead to her final game on Friday afternoon, if she wins against a 2034-rated opponent or manages to draw against a 2116 player, she will achieve her third and final IM norm, thus breaking Polgar’s female world age record from 38 years ago.

In other notable chess news, IM Richard Pert achieved a career milestone by defeating GM Jorden van Foreest in the European Club Cup, contributing to his team's impressive performance. Cheddleton Savills Catering, seeded 16th, has surprised many by winning five of their six matches and now faces Rishon LeZion, led by former world title challenger Boris Gelfand.

Meanwhile, the US Championship concluded with Wesley So winning a playoff against defending champion Fabiano Caruana. Rachael Li, at just 16, became the youngest first-time champion in the women’s section, securing a stellar 8.5/11 score.