Eleven-year-old chess prodigy Divi Bijesh from Kerala made history in Indian chess by winning the FIDE World Cup Under-12 Girls Championship in Batumi, Georgia. She is the first player from Kerala to achieve this feat and has now secured three world titles in just two years. Divi dominated the competition, finishing with nine points from 11 rounds, and secured the title by drawing her final-round game against Russia’s Alisa Yunker.
Divi’s remarkable journey began in 2025 when she became the FIDE World Cup Under-10 Girls champion. Since then, she has continued to shine, winning multiple championships and accumulating a total of 25 medals, including 13 international gold medals. Her latest victory not only adds to her impressive list of achievements but also guarantees her a spot in the upcoming FIDE World Cadet Championship, where she will represent India once again on the global stage.
Despite her young age, Divi has already established herself as one of India’s most promising chess players, thanks to her dedication and talent. Supported by the Chola Chess talent development program and guided by experienced mentors like Woman Grandmaster Aarthi Ramaswamy and Woman FIDE Master Harshini, Divi’s success is a testament to her hard work and perseverance. Her coach, Sreejith G.S. of Masters Chess Academy in Thiruvananthapuram, has been instrumental in shaping her career and helping her reach new heights in the world of chess.
