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Janelle Mae Frayna – 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán)
19th Asian Games — Women’s Team Standard; 杭州 (Hángzhōu), October 6, 2023
Queen’s Pawn Game D02

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 b5 5. a4 b4 6. 0-0 Ba6 7. Ne5 Nfd7 8. Nd3 Nf6 9. Ne5 Nbd7. 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) is not interested in a draw out of the opening. 9. ... c5 10. c4 bxc3 11. Nxc3⩲ was another plausible possibility.
10. c4 bxc3 11. Nxc3

11. ... Bd6. 11. ... c5 12. Nb5 Bxb5 13. axb5 cxd4 14. Nc6 Qb6 was also playable and somewhat more suitable for Black’s aims.
12. Nc6 Qc8 13. b4 Nb8 14. Nxb8 Rxb8 15. b5 Bb7 16. Bg5 Ne4 17. Nxe4 dxe4 18. Qc2 f5 19. Bf4! Bxf4 20. gxf4 0-0 21. Rfc1 Rf7 22. Qc5

22. ... Ra8? The defence of the a-Pawn costs Black precious ground. Better was 22. ... Bd5 23. Qxa7 Qd8 (intending ... g7-g5, after or before ... Qd8-h4) with good play on the Kingside dark squares.
23. Ra3? (23. Qe5 Bd5 24. Rc5±)
23. ... Bd5 24. Rac3 Qb7 25. e3 h6 26. Bf1 Rd8 27. Bc4 Rd6 28. Qb4 a6 29. Qa5 axb5 30. axb5 Rb6 31. Bxd5 exd5 32. Rc5 Kh7 33. h3 Rd7 34. Qc3 Rxb5 35. Rxc7 Rxc7 36. Qxc7 Qa6 37. Qf7 Rb6 38. Qc7 Rg6+ 39. Kh2 Qe2 40. Qc2 Qf3 41. Rg1 Rxg1 42. Kxg1 Qxh3

43. Qc6? When the worst was over, Frayna sank down in her seat. After the correct 43. Qc5! Black’s extra Pawn seems worthless.
43... Qg4+ 44. Kf1. The point now is that after 44. Kh2 Qh5+ 45. K~ there is 45. ... Qg6+ liquidating into a winning Pawn ending.
44. ... h5 45. Qxd5 h4 46. Qd8 h3 0 : 1.

侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) showed her best form at Women’s Team Standard. Photo: Sina Sports.