Hardness–intensity diagram of Cyg X-1 determined from MAXI data. The position of Cyg X-1 during the flare is indicated by the black star. Red, green, and blue dots indicate individual bins in the daily light curves of MAXI, classified as soft, intermediate or hard state, respectively (Grinberg et al. 2013). The source behavior four days before and four days after the flaring episode is indicated by arrows pointing toward later observations and becoming lighter with increased separation from the flare.