Saturday, September 17, 2011

Week 4 Lineup/Preview

Monday, 7:15 PM EDT
Time Control 90 min. with 30 sec. increment

Baltimore Kingfishers vs. Boston Blitz
GM Larry Kaufman (2467) - FM David Griego (2494)
IM Tegshsuren Enkhbat (2426) - NM Vadim Martirosov (2329)
NM Jared Defibaugh (2363) - NM Ilya Krasik (2264)
NM Ian Schoch (2296) - Christopher Gu (2283)

Note: Players in italic have the white pieces.

Board 1: GM Larry Kaufman vs. FM David Griego. GM Kaufman is (=1 -4) against Boston. FM Griego is new to the USCL this year and only has one game (-1) under his belt. This is the only board where Boston has a rating advantage, but it's only 27 points and GM Kaufman has the white pieces, so it is a wash.

Board 2: NM Vadim Martirosov vs. IM Tegshsuren Enkhbat. NM Martirosov is (=3) against Baltimore while IM Enkhbat is (+2 -3) against Boston. IM Enkhbat has a 97 point rating edge. With the black pieces, he will look to play solidly and then strike outwardly if the opportunity presents itself.

Board 3: NM Jared Defibaugh vs. NM Ilya Krasik. NM Defibaugh has not yet played Boston and NM Krasik is (+3 =1 -2) against Baltimore. NM Defibaugh has both a 99 point rating advantage and the white pieces. It is the best statistical advantage of the match especially noting NM Krasik's record against Baltimore with the black pieces is (=1 -2) as opposed to (+3) with white, so NM Defibaugh should be pressing here.

Board 4: NM Christopher Gu vs. NM Ian Schoch. NM Gu is another Boston Blitz player who is new to the league this year. He has played just one game so far - a draw with the black pieces. NM Schoch has not played against Boston. These players are very closely matched in rating, but despite that fact, do not expect a draw as I anticipate both players aiming for victory.

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