Jeffery Xiong Leads the US Junior Closed

Jeffery Xiong playing against Nicolas Checa at the US Junior Closed. Photo: Austin Fuller

As we enter the finale of the US Junior Closed, Jeffery Xiong has a full point lead over the rest of the field with 6 points out of 8. The only player still in contention for a tie for 1st place is Awonder Liang, who is in clear 2nd with 5 points. While 1st place is now solely between Xiong and Liang, a huge race will take place for 2nd. Trailing behind Liang by just half a point are defending champion Akshat Chandra, Ruifeng Li, Luke Harmon-Vellotti, and Michael Brown.

Ruifeng Li at the US Junior Closed. Photo: Austin Fuller

Today, Li came the closest to tipping the scales in his favor. He bravely sacrificed a pawn in the opening against Liang and had the initiative for most of the game. However, Liang escaped with a draw through active play in the ending. Can you spot Li's missed winning opportunity?

Ruifeng Li vs. Awonder Liang

So far, Li has used his initiative to paralyze nearly all of Black's pieces: Black's rook on h8 cannot move at all. His rook and king are tied to the defense of his knight. His knight is pinned. His f-pawn is pinned in two different directions to the rooks on d6 and h8. How can White breakdown Black's tied down position?

White to move.

Show Solution

[pgn][Event "US Junior Closed"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Li, Ruifeng"]
[Black "Liang, Awonder"]
[Result "*"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "6kr/pp5n/3r1p1R/2p3p1/6P1/2BP1P2/PP6/2K4R w - - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "3"]1. f4 $1 Rxd3 ({If} 1... gxf4 2. g5 {wins material:} Kf7 (2... Rxd3 3. Bxf6) 3.
g6+) 2. Bxf6 {and White's pieces crash through Black's defenses.} *[/pgn]

Here are the current standings: