[Event "US Open - Invitationals"] [Site "Middleton, WI, United States"] [Date "2025.07.31"] [Round "6.12"] [White "Ismayilova, Khanim"] [Black "Fei, Irene Jiao"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2116"] [WhiteTeam "AZE"] [BlackElo "1987"] [BlackTeam "USA"] [Variant "Standard"] [Annotator "Foisor,Sabina"] [FEN "6k1/4r1pp/p5n1/b7/2p2PP1/4PK2/P4N2/2B2R2 b - - 0 32"] [WhiteClock "0:00:47"] [BlackClock "0:11:59"] [ECO "?"] [Opening "?"] [StudyName "125th US Open Rds 1-4 and Invitationals"] [ChapterName "Ismayilova, Khanim - Fei, Irene Jiao"] [ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/foytapOs/jmcUgF3h"] [SetUp "1"] [Orientation "white"] { After the two other leaders of the Haring — FM Megan Paragua and WIM Omya Vidyarthi — drew their game relatively fast, Irene controlled her own destiny with a chance to win the Haring outright. This must be the story of the event as, despite struggling and defending most of the game, Irene fought like a lioness and was able to eventually win the game and the tournament! A heartfelt congratulations to her for fighting until the end! In the current position, she was struggling to find a way to support her passed c-pawn while also coordinating her pieces. She chose } 32... c3? { which only made things worse. } (32... Nh4+ 33. Ke2 Ng2 { could have complicated things a bit. }) 33. Rd1 { The next series of moves were played brilliantly by White, who was able to place her pieces perfectly and get close to a decisive advantage. } 33... Rb7 34. Rd6 Rb1 35. Nd3 Ne7 36. Rxa6 Bb6 37. a4 Nd5 38. a5 Bc7 { Now that the a-pawn is captured, all White had to do was support the e-pawn on its way to promotion. } 39. Ba3? { But this takes an important piece away from it's job (to keep the c-pawn blocked!). White was low on time and focused a bit to much on trying to checkmate Black instead of focusing on supporting her pawns. But it is of course easy for me to say that from the (virtual) spectator's booth. The pressures of time and finishing the event on a positive note are difficult things to handle, so I feel for Khanim and can relate to her desire to finish the game faster. } (39. e4! Nf6 40. Ra8+ Kf7 41. a6 $18) 39... c2 40. Ra8+ Kf7 41. Rc8?? { The mistake that turns the tables! } (41. Rf8+ Kg6 42. Rf5 Rb3 43. Rg5+ Kf6) 41... Rb3! { And now it is time for Irene to shine, and she converts the game brilliantly! } 42. Rf8+ Kg6 43. f5+ Kg5 44. Rf7 Rxa3 45. Nc1 Rxe3+ 46. Kf2 Bg3+ 47. Kf1 Re1+ 48. Kg2 Rxc1 49. Rxg7+ Kf6 50. Rxh7 Rg1+ { 0-1 Black wins. } 0-1