Joel Johnson Annotates His Student's Game

Richard Justin Cowan

Hi All,

I firmly believe this is the best game played at Valley Chess this year. Congrats to Richard Justin Cowan who played this gem! And, I might also add that it takes two players to play well in order to have a great game like this one.

Thanks, Joel

PS: Richard is a student at Barry Goldwater High School and is getting chess instruction from Dave Small and myself.

Kannan, Nithin (1230) - Cowan, Richard Justin (1432) [B00]
Valley Chess (G/30), Phoenix, AZ (Round 2), 12/07/2008

1.e4 a6 2.Nf3 b5 3.d4 Bb7 4.Bd3 Nf6 5.Nbd2 e6 6.e5 Nd5 7.0–0 d6 8.exd6 cxd6 9.b3 Nc3 10.Qe1 Nd7 11.Bb2 Nd5

12.Be4 N7f6
13.Bxd5 Nxd5
14.c4 bxc4
15.bxc4 Nc7
16.d5 Be7
17.Bxg7?

(This is a really bad idea. Opening the g-file for Black's Rook.)
17...Rg8
18.Bb2 exd5
19.Bf6 Ne6
20.Bxe7 Qxe7
21.cxd5 Bxd5
22.Ne4 Kd7
23.Rb1 f5
24.Ned2



24...Rxg2+!
25.Kxg2 Qg5+!
26.Kh1 Qxd2!! (What a stunning move!!)
27.Rg1 (If 27. Qd2 Bf3 28. Kg1 Rg8 29. Qg5 Rg5#. White best line is 27. Rb3 Qa2 28. Re3 Bf3 29. Rf3 Qd5 30. Qd1 Nd4 31. Rg1 Qf3 which easily wins for Black.)
27...Bxf3+ 28.Rg2

28...Bxg2+

29.Kxg2 Rg8+ (There is no way for White to avoid checkmate.)

30.Kh1 Qd5+ (What a great game and finish!! Congrats to Richard for this gem!!) 0–1