Playing with the white pieces, the 18-year-old Divya displayed strategic maturity and exceptional composure against the Chinese star, who is the tournament\u2019s second seed and one of the title favourites. In a tightly controlled game, Divya built her position gradually, maintained pressure through the middlegame, and capitalised on Zhu\u2019s inaccuracies to close out a memorable win. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
With a 1-0 lead in the two-game match, Divya now finds herself one draw away from reaching the quarterfinals\u2014an achievement that would make her only the second Indian woman ever to reach this stage of the Women\u2019s World Cup after Harika Dronavalli in 2023.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Meanwhile, the other three Indian contenders in the pre-quarterfinals\u2014R. Vaishali, Koneru Humpy, and Harika\u2014were held to draws in their respective Game 1 matches. Vaishali, playing with the white pieces, had a closely fought encounter with Kazakhstan\u2019s Meruert Kamalidenova, with neither side gaining a decisive advantage. Humpy and Harika, both experienced campaigners and former World Championship semifinalists, were solid in defence as they held their own with the black pieces against Switzerland\u2019s Alexandra Kosteniuk and Russia\u2019s Kateryna Lagno respectively.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With a 1-0 lead in the two-game match, Divya now finds herself one draw away from reaching the quarterfinals\u2014an achievement that would make her only the second Indian woman ever to reach this stage of the Women\u2019s World Cup after Harika Dronavalli in 2023.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
All four Indian players will be back on the board for Game 2 of their matches on Thursday<\/p>\r\n\r\n