Divya Stuns China’s World No. 6 Zhu In Chess World Cup; Humpy, Vaishali & Harika Draw Game 1 Of Rd 4

Nagpur: For the second time in a month, India's chess sensation and World junior No. 1 Divya Deshmukh scripted a new high on the global stage. She is slowly becoming a bother for top Chinese masters. Exactly 31 days after she surprised World women's No. 1 Hou Yifan of China in the World Team Blitz Championship, the 19-year-old Divya stunned sixth-ranked Chinese Grandmaster Zhu Jiner on Wednesday.In the opening game of the fourth round of the top-16 stage in the FIDE Women's Chess World Cup in Batumi, Georgia, Divya utilised her opening advantage with white pieces well to register a convincing 49-move victory over Zhu. By winning the first classical game, it's advantage Divya as the Nagpur girl will now need just a draw to advance to the quarterfinals. On Thursday, Divya will defend against Zhu with black pieces.All other Indian GMs, including the top three ranked women national players, Koneru Humpy, Vaishali Rameshbabu and D Harika, drew their opening games of the fourth round. A total of four Indian and Chinese masters are among the last 16 players remaining in the fray.In a game of Sicilian defence between India and China, Divya opted for the regular King's Pawn opening, which she later converted into the Open Najdorf, Zagreb Variation. Divya made Zhu dance to her tune with her knights. When both players sacrificed their respective rooks on the 24th turn, the game remained equal with Divya relying on her knight in attacking mode and Zhu with a defensive bishop. A classical 25th move check by Divya dismantled Zhu's king.A tactical ploy of Divya to twice repeat her moves in quick succession, followed by a seven-minute thought to make a questionable bishop move, caught Zhu unawares. The experienced Chinese made a blunder on the 29th turn. Divya again positioned her knight in the centre and slowly capitalised on Zhu's mistake. On the 43rd turn, Divya became a pawn up and forced Zhu to resign in the next six moves.Earlier, Vaishali was made to play a quick 29-move draw by Meruert Kamalidenova of Kazakhstan, who repeated her moves. India No. 1 Humpy drew with black pieces against Alexandra Kosteniuk of Switzerland in 35 moves. Harika defended well to hold higher-ranked Ukrainian GM Kateryna Lagno in 50 moves.Apart from Divya, the three decisive results in the opening game of the fourth round were scored by Chinese masters, with world No. 3 Lin Tingjie, Tan Zhongyi, and Yuxin Song winning their respective games.