Baltimore Kingfishers vs. Arizona Scorpions
IM Tanguy Ringoir (2583) - GM Mackenzie Molner (2581)
GM Larry Kaufman (2391) - IM Mark Ginsburg (2397)
NM Jared Defibaugh (2325) - IM Alexey Diulger (2421)
FM Ralph Zimmer (2268) - Matthew Noble (2084)
Wednesday, 9:00 PM EDT
Time Control: 60 min. with 30 sec. increment
Note: Players in italic have the white pieces.
In the third and penultimate interdivisional match of the season, the Baltimore Kingfishers play the Arizona Scorpions. Baltimore (3.0-3.0 match record) is in 2nd place in the Southern Division while Arizona (2.5-3.5) is in 5th place in the Western Division. Baltimore has won all three previous matches against Arizona. These two teams last played in Week 6, 2012 when Baltimore won by a 3-1 score. One Baltimore player (NM Jared Defibaugh) and two Arizona players (GM Mackenzie Molner and IM Mark Ginsburg) from that match return to play in this match.
The four weeks of interdivisional matches determine which of the three USCL divisions earns a 4th playoff spot. Currently, the Western Division leads the race with an (8.0-4.0) match record while the Eastern Division (7.0-5.0) remains close behind. The Southern Division sits at a dismal (3.0-9.0) record, but there is still time to catch up. See the full USCL playoff structure explanation here.
Board 1: IM Tanguy Ringoir vs. GM Mackenzie Molner. IM Tanguy Ringoir won his only USCL game thus far in Week 4 on Board 1 with the black pieces against IM Carlos Perdomo of the Atlanta Kings. That starts him off with a 2800 performance rating. He will be challenged by GM Mackenzie Molner, a 9-year veteran of the USCL playing in his 4th year with the Arizona Scorpions. GM Molner has a (+2 =1 -2) record this season with a 2651 performance rating. In his USCL career which has included stints with the New York Knights and the New Jersey Knockouts, he has a (+3 =2 -2) record against Baltimore. He drew last week with the black pieces on Board 1 against GM Jesse Kraai of the San Francisco Mechanics.
Board 2: IM Mark Ginsburg vs. GM Larry Kaufman. In his 6th USCL season, IM Mark Ginsburg is (+2 =2 -1) with a 2525 performance rating. He drew last week on Board 3 with the black pieces against FM Cameron Wheeler of the San Francisco Mechanics. He has a (=1 -1) record in his career against Baltimore including a drawn game in Week 4, 2009 with the same colors against this week's opponent, GM Larry Kaufman. GM Larry Kaufman lost his only game this season in Week 2 with the black pieces against NM Ilker Bozkurt of the Carolina Cobras for a 1983 performance rating. In his 10 seasons with the Baltimore Kingfishers, he has a (+1 =1) record against the Arizona Scorpions.
Board 3: NM Jared Defibaugh vs. IM Alexey Diulger. NM Jared Defibaugh has scored (+2 =2 -1) with a 2410 performance rating in his 5th USCL season. He won his only career game against Arizona. He won last week with the white pieces on Board 3 against NM Matthew Larson of the St. Louis Arch Bishops. Opposing him will be IM Alexey Diulger, who lost his only career USCL game in Week 5 with the black pieces against GM Le Quang Liem of the St. Louis Arch Bishops. That still starts IM Alexey Diulger with a relatively high 2385 performance rating.
Board 4: Matthew Noble vs. FM Ralph Zimmer. Matthew Noble is (+1 -1) in his first USCL season with a 2109 performance rating. He last played in Week 5 when he won with the black pieces on Board 4 against Julian Proleiko of the St. Louis Arch Bishops. He is set to play FM Ralph Zimmer, who is making his season debut for his 9th season with Baltimore. FM Ralph Zimmer scored (+2 =1 -1) last season with a 2337 performance rating and won his only career game against the Arizona Scorpions.
Catch the games live on ICC and let us know your predictions in the 5 polls linked below/shown to the right!
Board 1 Result? | Board 2 Result? | Board 3 Result? | Board 4 Result? | Match Result?
Reposted at: Chess.com blogs
Monday, October 6, 2014
Friday, October 3, 2014
2014 Week 6 Review
Baltimore Kingfishers vs. St. Louis Arch Bishops 2.5-1.5
GM Niclas Huschenbeth (2603) - GM Wesley So (2751) 0.5-0.5 View Game
IM Levan Bregadze (2530) - GM Le Quang Liem (2785) 0-1 View Game
NM Jared Defibaugh (2325) - NM Mathew Larson (2251) 1-0 View Game
NM Andrew Zheng (2208) - Jacob Wilkins (1909) 1-0 View Game
Note: Players in italic have the white pieces.
The Baltimore Kingfishers defeated the division-leading St. Louis Arch Bishops with a 2.5-1.5 score. Baltimore took victories on the bottom two boards and drew on the top board while St. Louis struck back with a win on board 2. Combined with the Miami Sharks' 2.5-1.5 victory over the Connecticut Dreadnoughts, Baltimore (3.0-3.0 match record) managed to leap into 2nd place in the Southern Division. Now, they are only a half-match-point behind the St. Louis Arch Bishops (3.5-2.5 match record) in the standings. There is also a crowd of 3 teams (Atlanta Kings, Connecticut Dreadnoughts, Miami Sharks) tied for 3rd place at (2.5-3.5 match record), which is just a half-match-point behind Baltimore. Finally, the Carolina Cobras (1.0-5.0 match record) sit at the bottom of the Southern Division, but they are not out of the playoff picture yet.
Board 1: GM Niclas Huschenbeth vs. GM Wesley So. The top board showcased a very interesting Najdorf Sicilian. GM Wesley So played the novelty 11... b5. In the middlegame, GM Huschenbeth maneuvered to attack the black kingside, but GM Wesley So managed to parry the threats. As pieces were traded in the center, it soon looked like white's king might be the more vulnerable one. Then, GM Huschenbeth regained an edge in the game with the strong 32. Rxc3! though it was not enough to convert to a victory. They played until bare kings on move 60.
Note: I did not do analysis of this game beyond the novelty search and finding interesting stem games as GM Niclas Huschenbeth has already posted his own spectacular in-depth analysis of the game on YouTube (Runtime: 34:56). Be sure to check it out below!
Board 2: GM Le Quang Liem vs. IM Levan Bregadze. The second board featured a King's Indian with opposite-side castling. GM Le Quang Liem played the novelty 11. h4 to begin his assault of the black kingside. IM Levan Bregadze soon countered with his a-pawn push against white's long-castled king. Complications arose as the center opened up. Black appeared worse by being down two pawns, but the power of the fianchettoed-bishop and a rook on the 2nd rank provided drawing chances and maybe more. Perhaps that chance for more was on IM Bregadze's mind when he played 26... Bd4, which was a mistake that GM Le Quang Liem pounced upon to seize a victory in 33 moves.
Reposted at: Chess.com blogs
GM Niclas Huschenbeth (2603) - GM Wesley So (2751) 0.5-0.5 View Game
IM Levan Bregadze (2530) - GM Le Quang Liem (2785) 0-1 View Game
NM Jared Defibaugh (2325) - NM Mathew Larson (2251) 1-0 View Game
NM Andrew Zheng (2208) - Jacob Wilkins (1909) 1-0 View Game
Note: Players in italic have the white pieces.
The Baltimore Kingfishers defeated the division-leading St. Louis Arch Bishops with a 2.5-1.5 score. Baltimore took victories on the bottom two boards and drew on the top board while St. Louis struck back with a win on board 2. Combined with the Miami Sharks' 2.5-1.5 victory over the Connecticut Dreadnoughts, Baltimore (3.0-3.0 match record) managed to leap into 2nd place in the Southern Division. Now, they are only a half-match-point behind the St. Louis Arch Bishops (3.5-2.5 match record) in the standings. There is also a crowd of 3 teams (Atlanta Kings, Connecticut Dreadnoughts, Miami Sharks) tied for 3rd place at (2.5-3.5 match record), which is just a half-match-point behind Baltimore. Finally, the Carolina Cobras (1.0-5.0 match record) sit at the bottom of the Southern Division, but they are not out of the playoff picture yet.
Board 1: GM Niclas Huschenbeth vs. GM Wesley So. The top board showcased a very interesting Najdorf Sicilian. GM Wesley So played the novelty 11... b5. In the middlegame, GM Huschenbeth maneuvered to attack the black kingside, but GM Wesley So managed to parry the threats. As pieces were traded in the center, it soon looked like white's king might be the more vulnerable one. Then, GM Huschenbeth regained an edge in the game with the strong 32. Rxc3! though it was not enough to convert to a victory. They played until bare kings on move 60.
Note: I did not do analysis of this game beyond the novelty search and finding interesting stem games as GM Niclas Huschenbeth has already posted his own spectacular in-depth analysis of the game on YouTube (Runtime: 34:56). Be sure to check it out below!
Board 2: GM Le Quang Liem vs. IM Levan Bregadze. The second board featured a King's Indian with opposite-side castling. GM Le Quang Liem played the novelty 11. h4 to begin his assault of the black kingside. IM Levan Bregadze soon countered with his a-pawn push against white's long-castled king. Complications arose as the center opened up. Black appeared worse by being down two pawns, but the power of the fianchettoed-bishop and a rook on the 2nd rank provided drawing chances and maybe more. Perhaps that chance for more was on IM Bregadze's mind when he played 26... Bd4, which was a mistake that GM Le Quang Liem pounced upon to seize a victory in 33 moves.
Reposted at: Chess.com blogs
Sunday, September 28, 2014
2014 Week 6 Preview
Baltimore Kingfishers vs. St. Louis Arch Bishops
GM Niclas Huschenbeth (2603) - GM Wesley So (2751)
IM Levan Bregadze (2530) - GM Le Quang Liem (2785)
NM Jared Defibaugh (2325) - NM Mathew Larson (2251)
NM Andrew Zheng (2208) - Jacob Wilkins (1909)
Tuesday, 8:00 PM EDT
Time Control: 75 min. with 30 sec. increment
Note: Players in italic have the white pieces.
The Baltimore Kingfishers and St. Louis Arch Bishops face-off in a rematch of Week 1 when St. Louis won with a 2.5-1.5 result. Baltimore is using the same lineup from Week 1 while St. Louis has two players (GM Le Quang Liem and Jacob Wilkins) returning from that match. Currently in the Southern Division, St. Louis (3.5-1.5) is on top of the standings with Baltimore (2.0-3.0) trailing in 3rd place (of 6). St. Louis has won both previous matches against Baltimore.
Board 1: GM Niclas Huschenbeth vs. GM Wesley So. GM Niclas Huschenbeth lost his only game this season, which occurred in Week 1 on Board 1 with the black pieces against GM Le Quang Liem of the St. Louis Archbishops. That starts him with a 2385 performance rating. He is (-2) against St. Louis in his 3-year USCL career. This week, GM Le Quang Liem drops down to Board 2, so GM Huschenbeth will do battle with GM Wesley So. GM Wesley So is (+2 =1) with a 2864 performance rating in his first USCL season. He won last week on Board 1 with the black pieces against GM Mackenzie Molner of the Arizona Scorpions.
Board 2: GM Le Quang Liem vs. IM Levan Bregadze. GM Le Quang Liem is (+3 =1) with a 2860 performance rating in his first USCL season. He is (+1) against Baltimore, and he won last week on Board 2 with the white pieces against IM Alexey Diulger of the Arizona Scorpions. Squaring-off against him will be IM Levan Bregadze, who is (+3 -1) with a 2690 performance rating in his 3rd season. IM Bregadze is (-1) against his former team, the St. Louis Arch Bishops. He won last week on Board 2 with the black pieces against FM Andrew Shvartsman of the Manhattan Applesauce.
Board 3: NM Jared Defibaugh vs. NM Matthew Larson. NM Jared Defibaugh is (+1 =2 -1) with a 2350 performance rating in his 5th season. He drew his only career game against St. Louis in Week 1. He last played in Week 4 when he won on Board 3 with the black pieces against NM Richard Francisco of the Atlanta Kings. He is set to play NM Matthew Larson, who is making his season debut. NM Larson is making his return to the USCL after only playing for St. Louis in 2012. He was (+2 -4) with a 2115 performance rating that year and scored (+1) against Baltimore.
Board 4: Jacob Wilkins vs. NM Andrew Zheng. Jacob Wilkins is (=2 -1) with a 1990 performance rating in his 2nd USCL season. He last played in Week 3 when he drew on Board 4 with the white pieces against Shaun Smith of the Manhattan Applesauce. He lost his only career game against Baltimore in Week 1 on Board 4 with the black pieces against NM Andrew Zheng, who is also his opponent this week. Colors will be reversed this time. NM Andrew Zheng is (+2 =1 -1) with a 2281 performance rating in his 2nd season. He last played in Week 4 when he drew on Board 4 with the white pieces against NM Michael Corallo of the Atlanta Kings.
Catch the games live on ICC and let us know your predictions in the 5 polls linked below/shown to the right!
Board 1 Result? | Board 2 Result? | Board 3 Result? | Board 4 Result? | Match Result?
Reposted at: Chess.com blogs
GM Niclas Huschenbeth (2603) - GM Wesley So (2751)
IM Levan Bregadze (2530) - GM Le Quang Liem (2785)
NM Jared Defibaugh (2325) - NM Mathew Larson (2251)
NM Andrew Zheng (2208) - Jacob Wilkins (1909)
Tuesday, 8:00 PM EDT
Time Control: 75 min. with 30 sec. increment
Note: Players in italic have the white pieces.
The Baltimore Kingfishers and St. Louis Arch Bishops face-off in a rematch of Week 1 when St. Louis won with a 2.5-1.5 result. Baltimore is using the same lineup from Week 1 while St. Louis has two players (GM Le Quang Liem and Jacob Wilkins) returning from that match. Currently in the Southern Division, St. Louis (3.5-1.5) is on top of the standings with Baltimore (2.0-3.0) trailing in 3rd place (of 6). St. Louis has won both previous matches against Baltimore.
Board 1: GM Niclas Huschenbeth vs. GM Wesley So. GM Niclas Huschenbeth lost his only game this season, which occurred in Week 1 on Board 1 with the black pieces against GM Le Quang Liem of the St. Louis Archbishops. That starts him with a 2385 performance rating. He is (-2) against St. Louis in his 3-year USCL career. This week, GM Le Quang Liem drops down to Board 2, so GM Huschenbeth will do battle with GM Wesley So. GM Wesley So is (+2 =1) with a 2864 performance rating in his first USCL season. He won last week on Board 1 with the black pieces against GM Mackenzie Molner of the Arizona Scorpions.
Board 2: GM Le Quang Liem vs. IM Levan Bregadze. GM Le Quang Liem is (+3 =1) with a 2860 performance rating in his first USCL season. He is (+1) against Baltimore, and he won last week on Board 2 with the white pieces against IM Alexey Diulger of the Arizona Scorpions. Squaring-off against him will be IM Levan Bregadze, who is (+3 -1) with a 2690 performance rating in his 3rd season. IM Bregadze is (-1) against his former team, the St. Louis Arch Bishops. He won last week on Board 2 with the black pieces against FM Andrew Shvartsman of the Manhattan Applesauce.
Board 3: NM Jared Defibaugh vs. NM Matthew Larson. NM Jared Defibaugh is (+1 =2 -1) with a 2350 performance rating in his 5th season. He drew his only career game against St. Louis in Week 1. He last played in Week 4 when he won on Board 3 with the black pieces against NM Richard Francisco of the Atlanta Kings. He is set to play NM Matthew Larson, who is making his season debut. NM Larson is making his return to the USCL after only playing for St. Louis in 2012. He was (+2 -4) with a 2115 performance rating that year and scored (+1) against Baltimore.
Board 4: Jacob Wilkins vs. NM Andrew Zheng. Jacob Wilkins is (=2 -1) with a 1990 performance rating in his 2nd USCL season. He last played in Week 3 when he drew on Board 4 with the white pieces against Shaun Smith of the Manhattan Applesauce. He lost his only career game against Baltimore in Week 1 on Board 4 with the black pieces against NM Andrew Zheng, who is also his opponent this week. Colors will be reversed this time. NM Andrew Zheng is (+2 =1 -1) with a 2281 performance rating in his 2nd season. He last played in Week 4 when he drew on Board 4 with the white pieces against NM Michael Corallo of the Atlanta Kings.
Catch the games live on ICC and let us know your predictions in the 5 polls linked below/shown to the right!
Board 1 Result? | Board 2 Result? | Board 3 Result? | Board 4 Result? | Match Result?
Reposted at: Chess.com blogs
Saturday, September 27, 2014
2014 Week 5 Review
Baltimore Kingfishers vs. Manhattan Applesauce 1.5-2.5
GM Akshayraj Kore (2543) - GM Robert Hungaski (2551) 0-1 View Game
IM Levan Bregadze (2530) - FM Andrew Shvartsman (2432) 1-0 View Game
IM Tegshsuren Enkhbat (2450) - FM Rico Salimbagat (2286) 0.5-0.5 View Game
NM Mark Ashland (2068) - NM Levy Rozman (2382) 0-1 View Game
Note: Players in italic have the white pieces.
The Manhattan Applesauce defeated the Baltimore Kingfishers with a 2.5-1.5 score. Both teams actually retain their respective divisional standings as Manhattan (3.0-2.0 in match points) stays in 4th place in the Eastern Division while Baltimore (2.0-3.0) remains in 3rd place in the Southern Division.
Board 1: GM Akshayraj Kore vs. GM Robert Hungaski. The top board began with a Scandinavian Defense: Pytel variation (3... Qd6). GM Robert Hungaski played the novelty 8... Bxf3. However, 9... Nbd7 transposed into some previously played games, so another novelty, 11. Qe2, was played by GM Akshayraj Kore. GM Hungaski create an avenue for attacking with the f5-f4 pawn push, but then the game became a slow-piece-shuffling affair. Later, as both players had created an Alekhine's gun (2 rooks with a queen behind on the same file), the fireworks started with 38. Rxe6. White pinned the rook in front, but black showed that was not at all a problem as the white king was far too vulnerable. The game ended on move 44 with mate in 3 on the board.
Reposted at: Chess.com blogs
GM Akshayraj Kore (2543) - GM Robert Hungaski (2551) 0-1 View Game
IM Levan Bregadze (2530) - FM Andrew Shvartsman (2432) 1-0 View Game
IM Tegshsuren Enkhbat (2450) - FM Rico Salimbagat (2286) 0.5-0.5 View Game
NM Mark Ashland (2068) - NM Levy Rozman (2382) 0-1 View Game
Note: Players in italic have the white pieces.
The Manhattan Applesauce defeated the Baltimore Kingfishers with a 2.5-1.5 score. Both teams actually retain their respective divisional standings as Manhattan (3.0-2.0 in match points) stays in 4th place in the Eastern Division while Baltimore (2.0-3.0) remains in 3rd place in the Southern Division.
Board 1: GM Akshayraj Kore vs. GM Robert Hungaski. The top board began with a Scandinavian Defense: Pytel variation (3... Qd6). GM Robert Hungaski played the novelty 8... Bxf3. However, 9... Nbd7 transposed into some previously played games, so another novelty, 11. Qe2, was played by GM Akshayraj Kore. GM Hungaski create an avenue for attacking with the f5-f4 pawn push, but then the game became a slow-piece-shuffling affair. Later, as both players had created an Alekhine's gun (2 rooks with a queen behind on the same file), the fireworks started with 38. Rxe6. White pinned the rook in front, but black showed that was not at all a problem as the white king was far too vulnerable. The game ended on move 44 with mate in 3 on the board.
Reposted at: Chess.com blogs
Monday, September 22, 2014
2014 Week 5 Preview
Baltimore Kingfishers vs. Manhattan Applesauce
GM Akshayraj Kore (2543) - GM Robert Hungaski (2551)
IM Levan Bregadze (2530) - FM Andrew Shvartsman (2432)
IM Tegshsuren Enkhbat (2450) - FM Rico Salimbagat (2286)
NM Mark Ashland (2068) - NM Levy Rozman (2382)
Tuesday, 7:30 PM EDT
Time Control: 75 min. with 30 sec. increment
Note: Players in italic have the white pieces.
The Baltimore Kingfishers are set to take on the Manhattan Applesauce. Baltimore (2.0-2.0 match record) currently sits in 3rd place (of 6) in the Southern Division while Manhattan (2.0-2.0) is in 4th place (of 6) in the Eastern Division. The Manhattan Applesauce (formerly Queens Pioneers) have been in the USCL for 8 years, and they lead the all-time series against Baltimore with a 7.0-2.0 match record. These two teams last played in Week 3, 2013 when the match was drawn. Two Baltimore players (IM Levan Bregadze and IM Tegshsuren Enkhbat) and 1 Manhattan player (FM Rico Salimbagat) return from that match to play in this upcoming match.
Board 1: GM Akshayraj Kore vs. GM Robert Hungaski. GM Akshayraj Kore won his only career USCL game in Week 3 on Board 1 with the black pieces against IM Andranik Matikozyan of the Los Angeles Vibe for a performance rating of 2938. His opponent, GM Robert Hungaski, drew his only game this year on Board 1 with the white pieces against GM Alex Stripunsky of the New Jersey Knockouts for a 2656 performance rating. GM Hungaski is playing in his 4th season in the USCL and 2nd season for Manhattan. He has a (+2) career record against Baltimore with both games played against IM Tegshsuren Enkhbat.
Board 2: FM Andrew Shvartsman vs. IM Levan Bregadze. FM Andrew Shvartsman is (+1 -1) with a 2420 performance rating in his 2nd USCL season. He last played in Week 3 when he won on Board 3 with the white pieces against WGM Anna Sharevich of the St. Louis Arch Bishops. This will be his first career game against the Baltimore Kingfishers. He will be challenged by IM Levan Bregadze, who is (+2 -1) with a 2642 performance rating this year. IM Bregadze won last week on Board 2 with the white pieces against NM Damir Studen of the Atlanta Kings. He is playing in his 3rd USCL season and 2nd season for Baltimore with a (=1) career record against the Manhattan Applesauce.
Board 3: IM Tegshsuren Enkhbat vs. FM Rico Salimbagat. IM Tegshsuren Enkhbat lost his only game this season on Board 1 with the white pieces against IM Kassa Korley of the Carolina Cobras for a 2086 performance rating. In his 10-year USCL career, he is (+1 =2 -4) against Manhattan. He will play against FM Rico Salimbagat, who won his only game this season on Board 3 with the black pieces against NM Chris Williams of the Boston Blitz for a 2710 performance rating. FM Salimbagat is (=1) against Baltimore in his 2-year USCL career.
Board 4: NM Levy Rozman vs. NM Mark Ashland. NM Levy Rozman is (+1 -1) with a 2299 performance rating in his first USCL season. He lost last week on Board 3 with the black pieces against NM Alex King of the New York Knights. He will face NM Mark Ashland, who is making his USCL debut for the Baltimore Kingfishers. This marks the third consecutive week that Baltimore has started a player who is completely new to the US Chess League.
Catch the games live on ICC and let us know your predictions in the 5 polls linked below/shown to the right!
Board 1 Result? | Board 2 Result? | Board 3 Result? | Board 4 Result? | Match Result?
Reposted at: Chess.com blogs
GM Akshayraj Kore (2543) - GM Robert Hungaski (2551)
IM Levan Bregadze (2530) - FM Andrew Shvartsman (2432)
IM Tegshsuren Enkhbat (2450) - FM Rico Salimbagat (2286)
NM Mark Ashland (2068) - NM Levy Rozman (2382)
Tuesday, 7:30 PM EDT
Time Control: 75 min. with 30 sec. increment
Note: Players in italic have the white pieces.
The Baltimore Kingfishers are set to take on the Manhattan Applesauce. Baltimore (2.0-2.0 match record) currently sits in 3rd place (of 6) in the Southern Division while Manhattan (2.0-2.0) is in 4th place (of 6) in the Eastern Division. The Manhattan Applesauce (formerly Queens Pioneers) have been in the USCL for 8 years, and they lead the all-time series against Baltimore with a 7.0-2.0 match record. These two teams last played in Week 3, 2013 when the match was drawn. Two Baltimore players (IM Levan Bregadze and IM Tegshsuren Enkhbat) and 1 Manhattan player (FM Rico Salimbagat) return from that match to play in this upcoming match.
Board 1: GM Akshayraj Kore vs. GM Robert Hungaski. GM Akshayraj Kore won his only career USCL game in Week 3 on Board 1 with the black pieces against IM Andranik Matikozyan of the Los Angeles Vibe for a performance rating of 2938. His opponent, GM Robert Hungaski, drew his only game this year on Board 1 with the white pieces against GM Alex Stripunsky of the New Jersey Knockouts for a 2656 performance rating. GM Hungaski is playing in his 4th season in the USCL and 2nd season for Manhattan. He has a (+2) career record against Baltimore with both games played against IM Tegshsuren Enkhbat.
Board 2: FM Andrew Shvartsman vs. IM Levan Bregadze. FM Andrew Shvartsman is (+1 -1) with a 2420 performance rating in his 2nd USCL season. He last played in Week 3 when he won on Board 3 with the white pieces against WGM Anna Sharevich of the St. Louis Arch Bishops. This will be his first career game against the Baltimore Kingfishers. He will be challenged by IM Levan Bregadze, who is (+2 -1) with a 2642 performance rating this year. IM Bregadze won last week on Board 2 with the white pieces against NM Damir Studen of the Atlanta Kings. He is playing in his 3rd USCL season and 2nd season for Baltimore with a (=1) career record against the Manhattan Applesauce.
Board 3: IM Tegshsuren Enkhbat vs. FM Rico Salimbagat. IM Tegshsuren Enkhbat lost his only game this season on Board 1 with the white pieces against IM Kassa Korley of the Carolina Cobras for a 2086 performance rating. In his 10-year USCL career, he is (+1 =2 -4) against Manhattan. He will play against FM Rico Salimbagat, who won his only game this season on Board 3 with the black pieces against NM Chris Williams of the Boston Blitz for a 2710 performance rating. FM Salimbagat is (=1) against Baltimore in his 2-year USCL career.
Board 4: NM Levy Rozman vs. NM Mark Ashland. NM Levy Rozman is (+1 -1) with a 2299 performance rating in his first USCL season. He lost last week on Board 3 with the black pieces against NM Alex King of the New York Knights. He will face NM Mark Ashland, who is making his USCL debut for the Baltimore Kingfishers. This marks the third consecutive week that Baltimore has started a player who is completely new to the US Chess League.
Catch the games live on ICC and let us know your predictions in the 5 polls linked below/shown to the right!
Board 1 Result? | Board 2 Result? | Board 3 Result? | Board 4 Result? | Match Result?
Reposted at: Chess.com blogs
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