The classical games played over the weekend had ended in tense draws, with both players showcasing resilience and elite-level play. In Saturday's opening game, Divya, playing with the white pieces, built a commanding position but let Humpy equalise late. The second game on Sunday was more balanced, though Divya admitted she \u201cwandered into trouble for no apparent reason\u201d before holding on.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But the tie-breaks were where the young sensation flipped the script. After the first rapid game ended in a draw, the second saw Humpy crack under time pressure, making critical blunders that Divya pounced on. With nerves of steel, Divya closed out the win to become the 2025 Women\u2019s World Cup champion, the fourth Indian woman to earn the Grandmaster title, and the country\u2019s 88th GM overall.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt was fate,\u201d said an emotional Divya after the final. \u201cBefore the tournament, I was thinking that I could maybe earn a Grandmaster norm here. And at the end, I became a Grandmaster.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But the tie-breaks were where the young sensation flipped the script. After the first rapid game ended in a draw, the second saw Humpy crack under time pressure, making critical blunders that Divya pounced on. With nerves of steel, Divya closed out the win to become the 2025 Women\u2019s World Cup champion, the fourth Indian woman to earn the Grandmaster title, and the country\u2019s 88th GM overall.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
This win crowns a sensational rise for the Nagpur teenager, who just last year clinched the World Junior Championship title. She played a pivotal role in India\u2019s gold medal run at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest, also securing individual gold on her board.<\/p>\r\n\r\n