Divi Bijesh, 11, wins FIDE World Cup Under-12 Girls title in Batumi
Synopsis
At just 11, Divi Bijesh from Thiruvananthapuram has won the FIDE World Cup Under-12 Girls title in Batumi — her third world crown in two years. With 13 international gold medals already, she is the first Kerala player to win FIDE World Cup titles at both Under-10 and Under-12 level, and she is not done yet.
Key Takeaways
Divi Bijesh , aged 11 , won the FIDE World Cup Under-12 Girls Championship in Batumi, Georgia on 27 June .
She finished with 9 points from 11 rounds , holding the sole lead from the seventh round onward.
The title is her third world championship in two years and her 13th international gold medal .
She is the first player from Kerala to win FIDE World Cup titles in both Under-10 and Under-12 categories .
The victory qualifies her for the FIDE World Cadet Championship later this year.
Coached by Sreejith G.S. of Masters Chess Academy, Thiruvananthapuram , and mentored under the Chola Chess programme.
Kerala chess prodigy Divi Bijesh, aged just 11, claimed the FIDE World Cup Under-12 Girls Championship in Batumi, Georgia, scripting a landmark moment for Indian chess by becoming the first player from Kerala to win FIDE World Cup titles in both the Under-10 and Under-12 categories. The triumph, confirmed on 27 June, is her third world title in two years.
A Commanding Campaign
Competing against a field of more than 85 of the world's top young players, Divi finished with nine points from 11 rounds. She seized the sole lead after the seventh round and held it through the finish, drawing her final-round game against Russia's Alisa Yunker to secure the championship. The performance was described as commanding by those who followed the event.
A Record-Breaking Career at 11
Divi's latest gold adds to a collection that now stands at 25 medals, including 13 international gold medals — a staggering tally for a Class 6 student of Alan Feldman Public School, Thiruvananthapuram. She had previously made history in 2025 as the inaugural FIDE World Cup Under-10 Girls champion and also captured the World Under-10 Rapid Championship that same year.
The Team Behind the Title
Divi's rise has been shaped by her long-time coach and mentor Sreejith G.S. of Masters Chess Academy, Thiruvananthapuram. Her development has also been supported through the Chola Chess talent programme, under the guidance of Woman Grandmaster Aarthi Ramaswamy and Woman FIDE Master Harshini. She is the daughter of Bijesh and Prabha, and the younger sister of Devnath Bijesh.
What Comes Next
The Batumi victory secures Divi's qualification for the FIDE World Cadet Championship, scheduled later this year, where she will once again carry India's flag. Already the youngest Woman Candidate Master (WCM) from Kerala and a recipient of the Kerala Ujjwala Balyam Award, Divi's trajectory places her firmly among the most accomplished young chess players in Indian history. Kerala's reputation as a nursery for world-class chess talent continues to grow with every title she adds.
Point of View
A grandmaster mentor, and a formal talent programme. India's chess surge is often narrated through the lens of elite open players, but the Under-10 and Under-12 girls' pipeline may be its most underreported strength. If the system that produced Divi is scaled and sustained, the next decade of Indian women's chess could look very different from the last.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Divi Bijesh and what has she won?
Divi Bijesh is an 11-year-old chess player from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, who won the FIDE World Cup Under-12 Girls Championship in Batumi, Georgia. It is her third world title in two years, adding to her Under-10 World Cup and Under-10 Rapid Championship wins in 2025.
Where was the FIDE World Cup Under-12 Girls Championship held?
The championship was held in Batumi, Georgia. Divi competed against more than 85 of the world's top young players and finished with nine points from 11 rounds.
Why is Divi Bijesh's win historically significant?
She is the first player from Kerala to win FIDE World Cup titles in both the Under-10 and Under-12 categories. At 11, she has already accumulated 25 medals, including 13 international gold medals, making her one of India's most decorated young chess players.
Who trained Divi Bijesh?
Her primary coach and mentor is Sreejith G.S. of Masters Chess Academy in Thiruvananthapuram. She has also received guidance through the Chola Chess talent development programme, under Woman Grandmaster Aarthi Ramaswamy and Woman FIDE Master Harshini.
What is next for Divi Bijesh after this title?
Her Batumi victory qualifies her for the FIDE World Cadet Championship, to be held later this year, where she will again represent India on the global stage.
