Irene Jiao Fei is the U9 Open Champion in 2022 FIDE World School Chess Championship

Just back from Panama, Irene Fei (Ames) won the U9 Open Section in the 2022 FIDE World School Chess Championship, receiving the Candidate Master title. Irene competed with boys, bypassing the girls-only section. A few of them were champions from various countries like Peru, Mexico, and England Playing Board 1 throughout the event, Irene finished with 7 wins and 2 draws (or 8 out of 9 points) and tied with Mexico’s Cortes Medina Fernando. But Irene beat Cortes in round 5 to take the first tie-break and the championship title. It is so nice to see how the Iowa chess community has supported Irene in her pursuits including an April fundraiser hosted by Jim and Katie Freerksen of the Des Moines Chess Academy.

The entire state of Iowa is taking notice, not just chess the chess community. Irene was just interviewed by the Des Moines Register/Ames Tribune about her accomplishments. https://www.amestrib.com/picture-gallery/news/2022/06/24/nine-year-old-irene-jiao-fei-photos-winner-fide-world-chess-champion-under-9-age-group/7728511001/