Thiruvananthapuram's chess prodigy Divi makes India proud at World Rapid and Blitz Chess championship

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major achievement, a Malayali girl won two medals at the World Cadet Rapid and Blitz Chess Tournament held in Rhodes, Greece. Divi Bijesh from Kazhakkoottam, Thiruvananthapuram, won gold and silver medals in the under-10 girls' rapid category in the tournament, competing with children even 18 years of age.

The player won the gold medal by scoring 10 out of 11 points. This is also the only gold medal won by India in the tournament. Divi won the silver in the blitz category.

9-year-old Divi Bijesh started playing chess at the age of 7 after learning the basics from her brother Devanath. She has represented India and won 9 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze medals at the international level.

She has already won more than sixty awards in various competitions. Her next goal is to compete in the World Cup to be held in Georgia. Divi is a fourth-grade student at Alan Feldman Public School in Kazhakkoottam.

Divi is currently under the guidance of Sreejith from Master Chess Academy.

Divi's pillar of support his her family, consisting of father Bijesh, mother Prabha, and brother Devanath.