She's only 11 and has two World Chess titles; Kerala CM congratulates her

Thiruvananthapuram: "The best way to predict the future is to create it on the chessboard," said legendary chess player and former world champion Garry Kasparov. Eleven-year-old Divi Bijeesh is proving that she has a role in shaping India's future in world chess with one remarkable achievement after another.

Divi's latest triumph came in June, when she won the Under-12 Girls title at the FIDE World Cadet Cup held in Batumi, Georgia. She is daughter of Bijeesh and Prabha, an IT professional, and lives in Pangappara. A Class 6 student at Alan Feldman Public School, Kazhakkoottam, Divi outperformed nearly 100 competitors from different countries to clinch the title.

Having already been a world champion in the Under-10 category, Divi moved up to compete in the Under-12 division and achieved the rare feat of winning world titles in two consecutive age-group championships. She balances her tournament preparations with her school schedule.

So far, Divi has won 24 international medals, including 13 gold medals. Her achievements include victories at the Commonwealth, Western Asia, and Asian Youth Chess Championships. At the national level, she has won seven medals, including two golds and three silvers.

Divi began playing chess when she was in Class 2. She is currently ranked among the world's leading young players in the FIDE rankings and is Kerala's youngest Woman Candidate Master. She trains under Sreejith at Masters Chess Academy and learned the basics of the game from her elder brother, Devnath, who is also a chess player.

Despite her success on the international stage, Divi continues to struggle without a sponsor. Her father, Bijeesh, who previously worked in the IT sector, has left his job to accompany her full-time for tournaments, while the family's travel expenses for international competitions remain huge.

The young champion has received widespread recognition for her achievements. Chief Minister VD Satheesan recently met and congratulated her after sending her a letter of appreciation. Sports Minister O. J. Janeesh also spoke to Divi over the phone and assured her of the government's full support. The family now hopes that government intervention will help secure a sponsor to support her promising career.