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    • Divi Bijesh Wins FIDE World Cup Under-12 Girls Title

    By on June 30, 2026

    KOCHI:
    Eleven-year-old Indian chess prodigy Divi Bijesh has won the FIDE World Cup Under-12 Girls Championship 2026, emerging as the world champion after a stellar performance at the tournament held in Batumi, Georgia, from June 15 to 27.

    Representing India, Divi scored an impressive 9 points from 11 rounds in a field of more than 85 of the world’s strongest Under-12 girls. She took the sole lead from Round 7 and held on to it until the end, securing the title after drawing her final-round game against Alisa Yunker of Russia.

    This victory marks Divi’s third world title across 2025 and 2026. She made history in 2025 as the first-ever FIDE World Cup Under-10 Girls Champion and is also the reigning World Under-10 Rapid Champion. At just 11 years old, she has now won 25 medals, including 13 international gold medals, and has qualified for the FIDE World Cadet Championship 2026 to be held in November.

    A Class VI student of Alan Feldman Public School in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Divi is the daughter of Bijesh and Prabha. Her brother, Devnath Bijesh, is also a chess player. She trains at Chola Chess Camp with additional support from WGM Aarthi Ramaswamy and FM Harshini and has been mentored by Sreejith G. S. of Masters Chess Academy since 2022.

    Speaking after her victory, Divi said: “I am very happy to win this World Cup for India. Thank you to my parents, coaches, and everyone who supported me. I will keep working hard and do my best in the next championship.”
    Divi’s latest triumph adds another milestone to India’s growing success in international chess and highlights the country’s rising generation of young chess talent.

    Iscea

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