Ahhhh man, we didn't make the playoffs!!!! :( :( :(. Now, we have to sit on the sidelines and watch. However, I think this would be a good time to reflect on how it felt to be a fan of the Vibe during their first year of play.
The Vibe was certainly a fun team to watch and be a fan of. What makes the Vibe so unique, in my opinion, is the team chemistry. Our dynamic team leader GM Melikset Khachiyan, with his upbeat and spirited personality, always made us excited to play even if we were favored to lose. NM and occasional 4th board Ankit Gupta, provided awesome games on fourth board for us, including a marathon rook endgame win over NM Joshua Sinanan. FM Alex Kretchetov was consistently available and motivated, playing for us almost every week. FM Joel Banawa was always enthusiastic to play, studying for his games each week. As a fan watching from home, I could just envision what was going on at the chess palace and the "vibe" during each and every move. Teammates were supportive of one another, sometimes staying quite late after their game had finished just to see how the team ended up faring. Overall, I think this Vibe team has a lot of potential and with a few more IM's and GM's, will be able to compete well for the playoffs next year. Thank you guys, it was a great run!!!!
Before I conclude this blog post, I'd like to inform my readers of an upcoming, prestigious norm tournament coming to Los Angeles. This nine round tournament will be held at the new, luxurious Metropolitan Chess Club in downtown Los Angeles. The address of the new club is: California Market Center, 110 East Ninth Street, Los Angeles CA 90079. The tournament starts on Friday, November 12th at 7 PM. The remainder of the rounds take place over the next two weekends, November 13th-14th and November 20th-21st. In addition to this tournament, several side events will be held. The time control for the main event will be 40/90 + G/30 with a 30 second increment. In addition, all games will be relayed live on www.chess.com, with our very own GM Melikset Khachiyan providing live commentary for round nine. The average rating of the ten player field is 2334 FIDE. The ten participants are: IMs Enrico Sevillano, Tim Taylor, Zhanibek Amanov, FMs Jouaquin Banawa, Joel Banawa, Alexandre Kretchetov, WFM Tatev Abrahamyan, NMs Ankit Gupta and Konstantin Kavutskiy, and 2381 rated Roman Yankovsky. Spectators are welcome and encouraged to attend. You don't want to miss this great event, so come down and check out the newest chess club in California!
Until next year, it really has been a pleasure blogging for you guys!!!!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
LA Vibe vs. Miami Sharks Week 8 Preview
Hola!
I greet you all in Spanish this time because....
A) I am getting an A- so far in Spanish this year in school.
B) We are playing the Miami Sharks this week, a team that is predominantly Cuban. Maybe next time the teams meet, the entire blog should be in Spanish?
The Vibe and the Sharks are in a stiff playoff hunt for that coveted fourth place spot in the Western Division, making this a must win week for both teams. What does that mean? This match will end in a draw! Let me explain my logic:
Board 1 sees GM Julio Becerra taking on the James Bond of chess, GM Melik Khachiyan. Although James Bond is pretty cool and tremendously skilled, he has a tough opponent in store for him. I have tremendous respect for GM Becerra, and have respected the games he has played thus far in the USCL. After all, he is the most successful player in USCL history, defeating opponents such as GMs Nakamura, Friedel, Ramirez, and Kacheishvili. Although I hope I am wrong, Julio will take down Melik with the white pieces.
Board 2 shows FM Alexandre Kretchetov facing off against GM Renier Gonzalez. Kretchetov is coming off a bad loss against GM Akobian, and is looking to redeem himself this week against Miami's other Cuban GM. Both of these players are excellent positional players, so expect Kretchetov to hold fairly easily, making a draw.
Board 3 features FM Marcel Martinez duking it out with NM Kostya Kavutskiy aka Mclovin. Martinez has had a pretty successful USCL career, featuring a win over GM Jessie Kraai. However, Mclovin just came off a very nice win over WGM Katerina Rohonyan, and I expect him to carry that solid play over into his game this week. Mclovin will come through again for the Vibe, and will hold the draw against the strong FM.
Board 4 spotlights the Vibe's Ankit Gupta playing against the Sharks' junior hockey whiz, Nicholas Rosenthal. By the way Nicholas, I admire you for not being the typical Miami beach boy and opting for a different and tougher environment! As for the chess, Ankit is coming off a win over NM Joshua Sinanan of Seattle, while Nicholas is coming off two consecutive losses. That, combined with the fact that Ankit has almost a 300 point rating advantage, makes the result pretty clear. Ankit adds another win to his USCL career.
As I did last week, I'll share a short preview of other matches coming up this week, along with predictions on outcome. Without further ado...
New Jersey vs. Manhattan: New Jersey has a large edge in rating, as well as a huge edge on board 4 with FM Arthur Shen facing off against Shaun Smith. That, combined with the fact that New Jersey seems to have a slight edge on the rest of the boards, leads me to believe that New Jersey will win this one, destroying Manhattan's playoff hopes (if the Kingfishers win). New Jersey 3-1
Baltimore vs. Philadelphia: This match features an interesting match-up on board 1, with USCL super-star GM Sergey Erenburg battling FM Tom Bartell, who has had an excellent USCL record thus far. This game will determine the match, as the rest of the games will be draws. My prediction? Erenburg pulls this one out and Baltimore solidifies fourth place in the East. Baltimore 2.5-1.5
Dallas vs. Seattle: This is another must win match for both teams, who are fighting for that fourth place spot in the wild west. Both teams have very close average ratings, which means this should be a close match. In the end, Dallas' MVP IM Julio Sadorra will pull out the win and lift the Destiny to victory. Dallas 2.5-1.5
Arizona vs. Chicago: This is a battle for first place in the west. Despite this, neither team is using their highest rated lineup. Expect this to be a fighting match, and honestly, any result is possible. Because I just can't decide on which team may prevail in this match-up, I am going to call this a draw. Tie 2-2
New York vs. New England: The undefeated Nor'easters face their toughest challenge yet in a high rated Knight's team. The Knight's are employing two of their GM's, making this lineup extremely hard to beat. New York hands New England its first loss of the season. New York 2.5-1.5
Carolina vs. Boston: The Cobras are looking to continue their mini hot streak after an upset tie last week against New York. Duke freshman Richard Herbst is making his USCL debut on fourth board for the Cobras. Despite this, Carolina is out-rated by almost 200 points, making the upset highly unlikely. Boston 3-1
St. Louis vs. San Francisco: The Archbishops are looking to pass the Mechanics into 3rd place in the west by employing their "Big 3" for the second time this season. This is almost impossible to defeat, even by a top tier team like San Francisco. That being said, this match will be close, but will end up in St. Louis' favor. St Louis 2.5-1.5
That's it, folks! Adios mis amigos, y Buenos Suerte Vibe!!!!!!
I greet you all in Spanish this time because....
A) I am getting an A- so far in Spanish this year in school.
B) We are playing the Miami Sharks this week, a team that is predominantly Cuban. Maybe next time the teams meet, the entire blog should be in Spanish?
The Vibe and the Sharks are in a stiff playoff hunt for that coveted fourth place spot in the Western Division, making this a must win week for both teams. What does that mean? This match will end in a draw! Let me explain my logic:
Board 1 sees GM Julio Becerra taking on the James Bond of chess, GM Melik Khachiyan. Although James Bond is pretty cool and tremendously skilled, he has a tough opponent in store for him. I have tremendous respect for GM Becerra, and have respected the games he has played thus far in the USCL. After all, he is the most successful player in USCL history, defeating opponents such as GMs Nakamura, Friedel, Ramirez, and Kacheishvili. Although I hope I am wrong, Julio will take down Melik with the white pieces.
Board 2 shows FM Alexandre Kretchetov facing off against GM Renier Gonzalez. Kretchetov is coming off a bad loss against GM Akobian, and is looking to redeem himself this week against Miami's other Cuban GM. Both of these players are excellent positional players, so expect Kretchetov to hold fairly easily, making a draw.
Board 3 features FM Marcel Martinez duking it out with NM Kostya Kavutskiy aka Mclovin. Martinez has had a pretty successful USCL career, featuring a win over GM Jessie Kraai. However, Mclovin just came off a very nice win over WGM Katerina Rohonyan, and I expect him to carry that solid play over into his game this week. Mclovin will come through again for the Vibe, and will hold the draw against the strong FM.
Board 4 spotlights the Vibe's Ankit Gupta playing against the Sharks' junior hockey whiz, Nicholas Rosenthal. By the way Nicholas, I admire you for not being the typical Miami beach boy and opting for a different and tougher environment! As for the chess, Ankit is coming off a win over NM Joshua Sinanan of Seattle, while Nicholas is coming off two consecutive losses. That, combined with the fact that Ankit has almost a 300 point rating advantage, makes the result pretty clear. Ankit adds another win to his USCL career.
As I did last week, I'll share a short preview of other matches coming up this week, along with predictions on outcome. Without further ado...
New Jersey vs. Manhattan: New Jersey has a large edge in rating, as well as a huge edge on board 4 with FM Arthur Shen facing off against Shaun Smith. That, combined with the fact that New Jersey seems to have a slight edge on the rest of the boards, leads me to believe that New Jersey will win this one, destroying Manhattan's playoff hopes (if the Kingfishers win). New Jersey 3-1
Baltimore vs. Philadelphia: This match features an interesting match-up on board 1, with USCL super-star GM Sergey Erenburg battling FM Tom Bartell, who has had an excellent USCL record thus far. This game will determine the match, as the rest of the games will be draws. My prediction? Erenburg pulls this one out and Baltimore solidifies fourth place in the East. Baltimore 2.5-1.5
Dallas vs. Seattle: This is another must win match for both teams, who are fighting for that fourth place spot in the wild west. Both teams have very close average ratings, which means this should be a close match. In the end, Dallas' MVP IM Julio Sadorra will pull out the win and lift the Destiny to victory. Dallas 2.5-1.5
Arizona vs. Chicago: This is a battle for first place in the west. Despite this, neither team is using their highest rated lineup. Expect this to be a fighting match, and honestly, any result is possible. Because I just can't decide on which team may prevail in this match-up, I am going to call this a draw. Tie 2-2
New York vs. New England: The undefeated Nor'easters face their toughest challenge yet in a high rated Knight's team. The Knight's are employing two of their GM's, making this lineup extremely hard to beat. New York hands New England its first loss of the season. New York 2.5-1.5
Carolina vs. Boston: The Cobras are looking to continue their mini hot streak after an upset tie last week against New York. Duke freshman Richard Herbst is making his USCL debut on fourth board for the Cobras. Despite this, Carolina is out-rated by almost 200 points, making the upset highly unlikely. Boston 3-1
St. Louis vs. San Francisco: The Archbishops are looking to pass the Mechanics into 3rd place in the west by employing their "Big 3" for the second time this season. This is almost impossible to defeat, even by a top tier team like San Francisco. That being said, this match will be close, but will end up in St. Louis' favor. St Louis 2.5-1.5
That's it, folks! Adios mis amigos, y Buenos Suerte Vibe!!!!!!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
LA Vibe vs. Seattle Sluggers Week 7 Preview
Hey USCL Fans!!!
This is my first blog in 3 weeks, as I have been very busy. My junior year at Loyola High School of Los Angeles (shout out to all you Cubs reading this!) is proving to be time-consuming, but here is the LA Vibe's biggest fan writing a preview for their next match. This week we face off against the Seattle Sluggers, a team that at first looked dangerous in the pre-season, but has the same mediocre record as the Vibe thus far in the season. Therefore, this match is a must win for both teams, giving the winner significantly better chances of securing a playoff birth. So let's cut to the chase and break down each board, along with predictions for the other matches around the league!
Board 1: FM Alexandre Kretchetov vs. GM Varuzhan Akobian: This match features a very solid IM vs. one of the strongest GM's in the country. An ironic aspect to this match is that Akobian resides in Los Angeles, yet is playing for Seattle. Moreover, Var just returned from the Chess Olympiad in Russia, coaching the USA team to a tie for fifth place, taking ninth overall. Congrats to the entire USA team!! Varuzhan has been immersed in world class chess for the past two weeks, so I expect him to come out strong. Although Kretchetov has drawn two GM's this season, I expect Varuzhan to deliver the victory for Seattle in this face-off.
Board 2: FM Slava Mikhailuk vs. FM Joel Banawa: Our very own FM is coming off a tough loss last week to FM Andrei Zaremba of Manhattan. Knowing Joel, I think this loss will motivate him to play better chess and be better prepared this week, and I expect him to deliver his second win. This game will be the last to finish and Banawa will be the hero for the Vibe, similar to the week 1 result against St. Louis.
Board 3: NM Kostya "Mclovin" Kavutskiy vs. WGM Katerina Rohonyan: Alright, so the Mclovin effect didn't work last time against Chicago with the black pieces, so we decided to try it again, only with the white pieces. We are confident Mclovin is not going to lose this time with his stronger white pieces, and will hold a draw against Katerina.
Board 4: NM Joshua Sinanan vs. NM Ankit Gupta: I personally know both of these players, and can confidently say that they are equal in strength, with similar positional playing styles. That being said, both Sinanan and Gupta are fighters, and will play a long game, resulting in a draw.
So I predict this match will end up in a tie, despite Seattle's near 100 point rating advantage. Now, onto my other brief predictions for the rest of the matches in the league:
Carolina vs. New York: The struggling Cobras take on the cruising Knights. The result should be pretty obvious, with New York sporting GM's Kacheishvili and Lenderman. New York 3-1
Manhattan vs. Baltimore: The Applesauce need this one for any hopes of the playoffs, while a win for Baltimore would give them extremely high possibilities for the playoffs. The two teams squared off in week 2, with Baltimore coming off on top 3-1. However, the colors are reversed this time around. Expect a tie 2-2
Miami vs. Dallas: The Sharks are coming out strong after a huge win over New York last week. This match will feature a battle between two GM's on board one, with Julio Becerra taking on Alejandro Ramirez on 1st board. Miami will extend it's winning streak to two games, winning 2.5-1.5
San Francisco vs. Arizona: This match features a battle between two competitive teams for either first or second place in the Western Division. San Francisco is employing their MVP this season on third board in FM Daniel Naroditsky. He will get the job done this week against our friend FM Robby Adamson. The rest of the lineup looks even for the most part. San Francisco 2.5-1.5
Boston vs. New Jersey: To everyone's surprise, the Knockouts are having a pretty anemic season this year, with a below average record of 1.5-4.5. They are having a rematch with the strong Boston Blitz, whom they faced recently in week 5. This match features the battle of two classic GM's, Larry Christiansen and Joel Benjamin. Boston comes out on top 2.5-1.5
Philadelphia vs. New England: The first place Nor'easters are facing off against a mediocre Philadelphia, equipped with a 102 point rating advantage. The Nor'easters will continue their undefeated season. New England 3.5-0.5
St. Louis vs. Chicago: With the return of GM Hikaru Nakamura from the Olympiad, St. Louis needs to win this one for a shot at the playoffs. For Chicago, a win would keep them in first place and virtually guarantee a playoff birth. These two teams squared off in week two, with the result ending peacefully. The outcome this time will be different; the Blaze will come out on top and add another victory to their franchise. Chicago 2.5-1.5
Until next time!
This is my first blog in 3 weeks, as I have been very busy. My junior year at Loyola High School of Los Angeles (shout out to all you Cubs reading this!) is proving to be time-consuming, but here is the LA Vibe's biggest fan writing a preview for their next match. This week we face off against the Seattle Sluggers, a team that at first looked dangerous in the pre-season, but has the same mediocre record as the Vibe thus far in the season. Therefore, this match is a must win for both teams, giving the winner significantly better chances of securing a playoff birth. So let's cut to the chase and break down each board, along with predictions for the other matches around the league!
Board 1: FM Alexandre Kretchetov vs. GM Varuzhan Akobian: This match features a very solid IM vs. one of the strongest GM's in the country. An ironic aspect to this match is that Akobian resides in Los Angeles, yet is playing for Seattle. Moreover, Var just returned from the Chess Olympiad in Russia, coaching the USA team to a tie for fifth place, taking ninth overall. Congrats to the entire USA team!! Varuzhan has been immersed in world class chess for the past two weeks, so I expect him to come out strong. Although Kretchetov has drawn two GM's this season, I expect Varuzhan to deliver the victory for Seattle in this face-off.
Board 2: FM Slava Mikhailuk vs. FM Joel Banawa: Our very own FM is coming off a tough loss last week to FM Andrei Zaremba of Manhattan. Knowing Joel, I think this loss will motivate him to play better chess and be better prepared this week, and I expect him to deliver his second win. This game will be the last to finish and Banawa will be the hero for the Vibe, similar to the week 1 result against St. Louis.
Board 3: NM Kostya "Mclovin" Kavutskiy vs. WGM Katerina Rohonyan: Alright, so the Mclovin effect didn't work last time against Chicago with the black pieces, so we decided to try it again, only with the white pieces. We are confident Mclovin is not going to lose this time with his stronger white pieces, and will hold a draw against Katerina.
Board 4: NM Joshua Sinanan vs. NM Ankit Gupta: I personally know both of these players, and can confidently say that they are equal in strength, with similar positional playing styles. That being said, both Sinanan and Gupta are fighters, and will play a long game, resulting in a draw.
So I predict this match will end up in a tie, despite Seattle's near 100 point rating advantage. Now, onto my other brief predictions for the rest of the matches in the league:
Carolina vs. New York: The struggling Cobras take on the cruising Knights. The result should be pretty obvious, with New York sporting GM's Kacheishvili and Lenderman. New York 3-1
Manhattan vs. Baltimore: The Applesauce need this one for any hopes of the playoffs, while a win for Baltimore would give them extremely high possibilities for the playoffs. The two teams squared off in week 2, with Baltimore coming off on top 3-1. However, the colors are reversed this time around. Expect a tie 2-2
Miami vs. Dallas: The Sharks are coming out strong after a huge win over New York last week. This match will feature a battle between two GM's on board one, with Julio Becerra taking on Alejandro Ramirez on 1st board. Miami will extend it's winning streak to two games, winning 2.5-1.5
San Francisco vs. Arizona: This match features a battle between two competitive teams for either first or second place in the Western Division. San Francisco is employing their MVP this season on third board in FM Daniel Naroditsky. He will get the job done this week against our friend FM Robby Adamson. The rest of the lineup looks even for the most part. San Francisco 2.5-1.5
Boston vs. New Jersey: To everyone's surprise, the Knockouts are having a pretty anemic season this year, with a below average record of 1.5-4.5. They are having a rematch with the strong Boston Blitz, whom they faced recently in week 5. This match features the battle of two classic GM's, Larry Christiansen and Joel Benjamin. Boston comes out on top 2.5-1.5
Philadelphia vs. New England: The first place Nor'easters are facing off against a mediocre Philadelphia, equipped with a 102 point rating advantage. The Nor'easters will continue their undefeated season. New England 3.5-0.5
St. Louis vs. Chicago: With the return of GM Hikaru Nakamura from the Olympiad, St. Louis needs to win this one for a shot at the playoffs. For Chicago, a win would keep them in first place and virtually guarantee a playoff birth. These two teams squared off in week two, with the result ending peacefully. The outcome this time will be different; the Blaze will come out on top and add another victory to their franchise. Chicago 2.5-1.5
Until next time!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
The Mclovin Effect: LA Vibe vs. Chicago Blaze Week 3 Preview
Hey again!
After two disappointing weeks for the Vibe, Los Angeles looks to even its record out at 2-2. This task is easier said than done, as the Vibe are facing off against the deadly second place Chicago Blaze. The Blaze check into this match with a record of 2.5-0.5. Chicago has actually been a surprise this year. While they don't have the highest rated team, the Blaze have been getting positive results thanks to great teamwork. The Vibe are looking to put a stop to their "blazing" chemistry and hand Chicago its first loss. Here is an explanation of why I believe the Vibe will be able to do that. (Yes, I know I have been wrong the past two weeks, but watch me get to 50% along with LA)
Board 1: GM Melik "James Bond" Khachiyan vs. GM Dmitry Gurevich: Wow, what a matchup - two veteran GMs with extremely different playing styles duking it out! While Khachiyan is very tactical and creative, Gurevich is one of the most solid players in this country. Given the color assignment, it is quite obvious that this game is going to end in a draw. Khachiyan will get an active position, but Gurevich will hold and liquidate. To further my prediction regarding this game, it will be the first game to finish in the match, again, with the result being a draw.
Board 3: WFM Tatev Abrahamyan vs. IM Angelo Young: Coming off a tough loss to IM Danny Rensch, Tatev looks to redeem herself this week before she heads with GM Khachiyan to the Women's Olympiad in Russia. This task will prove daunting, however, as she is matched against one of the most challenging opponents in the USCL. IM Young was a first team all-star last year, going undefeated in his USCL career until recently suffering his first loss to GM Ben Finegold of St. Louis. Given Tatev has white pieces, this game will be difficult for either player to win. Both players will fight it out to the end, but the result will end in a draw.
Board 4: NM Kostya "Mclovin" Kavutskiy vs. Trevor Magness: This is the game I was hoping for this week, as I mentioned at the end of my last entry. Two strong young forces in chess, both of whom I respect, facing off in the USCL. Before making a prediction for the game, I must explain the nickname I have given to Kostya. Kostya bears an uncanny resemblance, both physically and in personality, to the character Mclovin from the movie "Superbad." See for yourselves :). Both are pictured below, with Mclovin on the left and Kostya on the right.
After two disappointing weeks for the Vibe, Los Angeles looks to even its record out at 2-2. This task is easier said than done, as the Vibe are facing off against the deadly second place Chicago Blaze. The Blaze check into this match with a record of 2.5-0.5. Chicago has actually been a surprise this year. While they don't have the highest rated team, the Blaze have been getting positive results thanks to great teamwork. The Vibe are looking to put a stop to their "blazing" chemistry and hand Chicago its first loss. Here is an explanation of why I believe the Vibe will be able to do that. (Yes, I know I have been wrong the past two weeks, but watch me get to 50% along with LA)
Board 1: GM Melik "James Bond" Khachiyan vs. GM Dmitry Gurevich: Wow, what a matchup - two veteran GMs with extremely different playing styles duking it out! While Khachiyan is very tactical and creative, Gurevich is one of the most solid players in this country. Given the color assignment, it is quite obvious that this game is going to end in a draw. Khachiyan will get an active position, but Gurevich will hold and liquidate. To further my prediction regarding this game, it will be the first game to finish in the match, again, with the result being a draw.
Board 2: IM
Florin Felecan vs. IM Andranik Matikozyan: Since this is Matikozyan's USCL debut, many of you may not know him. This low-profile IM (pictured at left) moved to the United States from Armenia ten years ago, residing in Glendale, California. Andranik is known for his love of crazy, wild positions, and can play either color. Despite this playing style, Andranik has extensive positional and endgame knowledge, leaving no obvious weaknesses in his game. In his USCL debut against the red hot Felecan, expect a sideline Sicillian, resulting in fireworks. Either player could win this game; I don't think this game will be a draw. This is why, in my opinion, this will be the crucial game of the match. Since this game is a toss-up, I will go with Andranik.
Florin Felecan vs. IM Andranik Matikozyan: Since this is Matikozyan's USCL debut, many of you may not know him. This low-profile IM (pictured at left) moved to the United States from Armenia ten years ago, residing in Glendale, California. Andranik is known for his love of crazy, wild positions, and can play either color. Despite this playing style, Andranik has extensive positional and endgame knowledge, leaving no obvious weaknesses in his game. In his USCL debut against the red hot Felecan, expect a sideline Sicillian, resulting in fireworks. Either player could win this game; I don't think this game will be a draw. This is why, in my opinion, this will be the crucial game of the match. Since this game is a toss-up, I will go with Andranik.Board 3: WFM Tatev Abrahamyan vs. IM Angelo Young: Coming off a tough loss to IM Danny Rensch, Tatev looks to redeem herself this week before she heads with GM Khachiyan to the Women's Olympiad in Russia. This task will prove daunting, however, as she is matched against one of the most challenging opponents in the USCL. IM Young was a first team all-star last year, going undefeated in his USCL career until recently suffering his first loss to GM Ben Finegold of St. Louis. Given Tatev has white pieces, this game will be difficult for either player to win. Both players will fight it out to the end, but the result will end in a draw.
Board 4: NM Kostya "Mclovin" Kavutskiy vs. Trevor Magness: This is the game I was hoping for this week, as I mentioned at the end of my last entry. Two strong young forces in chess, both of whom I respect, facing off in the USCL. Before making a prediction for the game, I must explain the nickname I have given to Kostya. Kostya bears an uncanny resemblance, both physically and in personality, to the character Mclovin from the movie "Superbad." See for yourselves :). Both are pictured below, with Mclovin on the left and Kostya on the right.
While Kostya looks incredibly similar to Mclovin, he also is a close personality match: the quiet and reserved guy who is always the winner at the end. In "Superbad," Mclovin ends up getting the girl. In this chess game, Kostya will get the win for himself and for the Vibe.
So, with these predictions, the Vibe will prevail with a 3-1 win, thanks in part to the help of the Mclovin effect. At the end of the night, the Vibe will be partying hard, just like Mclovin in Superbad ;).
So, with these predictions, the Vibe will prevail with a 3-1 win, thanks in part to the help of the Mclovin effect. At the end of the night, the Vibe will be partying hard, just like Mclovin in Superbad ;).
Saturday, September 11, 2010
LA Vibe vs. Arizona Scorpions Week 3 Recap
Fail. That was the word of the night. We thought the night would go better, but oh well. The "vibe" was in the air at the Chess Palace, with the team joking around having a pre-match pizza party. Team members Kostya Kavutskiy and Ankit Gupta were in attendance to provide spirit for the Vibe. Christian Tanaka even got a good luck message from the great FM Daniel Naroditsky of the San Francisco Mechanics. Thank you, Danya!! Unfortunately, we were not so lucky in this match. Let me break down what happened from a spectator's point of view in the match.
On board 1, our very own GM Melik "James Bond" Khachiyan faced IM Rogelio Barcenilla. Mr. Bond tried to equalize the position into a draw, playing a solid Grunfeld type structure against Barcenilla's English opening. Melik made a dubious move in 17...d4, letting Barcenilla fork the bishop and knight by playing 19.e5. We are not sure if this was a mouse slip, as it looks like it loses right away. After this blunder, things just went downhill for Khachiyan, although he seemed to have some compensation. Barcenilla quickly converted his material advantage, and board 1 was the first board to finish in the match.
Board 2 resulted in FM Joel Banawa having an interesting fight with IM Dionisio Aldama in a Modern Benoni Defense. Aldama surprised Joel with this opening, avoiding his normal Kings Indian Defense. Joel exploited Dionisio's queenside with 18. b4, but didn't quite get enough material or initiative to convert to the win. When everything sizzled away, Joel had a Queen for Dionisio's two pieces, resulting in a drawn endgame. Although the match was already decided in the Scorpion's favor, Joel made Aldama show his endgame knowledge, and finally acquiesce to a draw after 72 moves. What a great fight from both players! On a side note, I nominate Joel as the Vibe's MVP. He always shows up in good shape for the matches, and loves to play in team events. Every team needs a player like Joel on their team.
Board 3 featured the USCL Game of the Week between IM Daniel Rensch and WFM Tatev Abrahamyan. As said in my preview, both are extremely tactical players and always out for blood. Where I went wrong was when I said that the game would end up a draw. Nonetheless, this game featured both of the players' styles, with Tatev having two Queens on the board for Rensch's attack. As a spectator, I could not determine which advantage would prevail! Eventually, Danny used his strong calculation skills to force Tatev to give up one of her Queens and eventually the game. Well done, Danny! A great game from both players.
Board 4 was probably the biggest question mark of the match for the Vibe. NM Christian "the balla" Tanaka arrived at the Chess Palace early, extremely eager to play and confident he was in good shape, and moreover seemed well-prepared. However, by move 15, Tanaka found himself in a far worse position, misplaying the white side of a Benoni, courtesy of Amanda Mateer. From then on, all Christian could do was play passively while Mateer slowly exploited the center. The Vibe's basketball stud kept holding a worse position until 31. Qc2, hanging the rook on e1. Showing his fighting spirit, Christian kept playing the position, making Mateer win her position in time pressure. I commend Tanaka for playing on, as most people would just resign after having lost their rook. Kudos to my homie, and I know you will have a better outcome next time!!
Although we lost this match convincingly, that did not lower team spirits after the match. Team members all commiserated about the loss, acknowledged how disappointing outcomes happen to every team, and then moved on to begin analyzing the opening from Christian's game. FM Banawa pointed out, "Whenever we are favored to lose, we win! Whenever we are favored to win, we lose!" So in conclusion, I hope we are underdogs next week against the 2nd place Chicago Blaze, and I hope to see my friend Trevor Magness play on board 4 against my other buddy, Kostya "McLovin" Kavutskiy. Before I conclude this entry, I suggest that you all sign up for a free weekly Vibe newsletter at www.thelavibe.com. This newsletter includes all the games played that particular week. Check back soon for a preview of Wednesday's match!
On board 1, our very own GM Melik "James Bond" Khachiyan faced IM Rogelio Barcenilla. Mr. Bond tried to equalize the position into a draw, playing a solid Grunfeld type structure against Barcenilla's English opening. Melik made a dubious move in 17...d4, letting Barcenilla fork the bishop and knight by playing 19.e5. We are not sure if this was a mouse slip, as it looks like it loses right away. After this blunder, things just went downhill for Khachiyan, although he seemed to have some compensation. Barcenilla quickly converted his material advantage, and board 1 was the first board to finish in the match.
Board 2 resulted in FM Joel Banawa having an interesting fight with IM Dionisio Aldama in a Modern Benoni Defense. Aldama surprised Joel with this opening, avoiding his normal Kings Indian Defense. Joel exploited Dionisio's queenside with 18. b4, but didn't quite get enough material or initiative to convert to the win. When everything sizzled away, Joel had a Queen for Dionisio's two pieces, resulting in a drawn endgame. Although the match was already decided in the Scorpion's favor, Joel made Aldama show his endgame knowledge, and finally acquiesce to a draw after 72 moves. What a great fight from both players! On a side note, I nominate Joel as the Vibe's MVP. He always shows up in good shape for the matches, and loves to play in team events. Every team needs a player like Joel on their team.
Board 3 featured the USCL Game of the Week between IM Daniel Rensch and WFM Tatev Abrahamyan. As said in my preview, both are extremely tactical players and always out for blood. Where I went wrong was when I said that the game would end up a draw. Nonetheless, this game featured both of the players' styles, with Tatev having two Queens on the board for Rensch's attack. As a spectator, I could not determine which advantage would prevail! Eventually, Danny used his strong calculation skills to force Tatev to give up one of her Queens and eventually the game. Well done, Danny! A great game from both players.
Board 4 was probably the biggest question mark of the match for the Vibe. NM Christian "the balla" Tanaka arrived at the Chess Palace early, extremely eager to play and confident he was in good shape, and moreover seemed well-prepared. However, by move 15, Tanaka found himself in a far worse position, misplaying the white side of a Benoni, courtesy of Amanda Mateer. From then on, all Christian could do was play passively while Mateer slowly exploited the center. The Vibe's basketball stud kept holding a worse position until 31. Qc2, hanging the rook on e1. Showing his fighting spirit, Christian kept playing the position, making Mateer win her position in time pressure. I commend Tanaka for playing on, as most people would just resign after having lost their rook. Kudos to my homie, and I know you will have a better outcome next time!!
Although we lost this match convincingly, that did not lower team spirits after the match. Team members all commiserated about the loss, acknowledged how disappointing outcomes happen to every team, and then moved on to begin analyzing the opening from Christian's game. FM Banawa pointed out, "Whenever we are favored to lose, we win! Whenever we are favored to win, we lose!" So in conclusion, I hope we are underdogs next week against the 2nd place Chicago Blaze, and I hope to see my friend Trevor Magness play on board 4 against my other buddy, Kostya "McLovin" Kavutskiy. Before I conclude this entry, I suggest that you all sign up for a free weekly Vibe newsletter at www.thelavibe.com. This newsletter includes all the games played that particular week. Check back soon for a preview of Wednesday's match!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
LA Vibe vs. Arizona Scorpions Preview
Fasten your seat belts folks, because you are in for a ride on Tuesday night! The LA Vibe are facing off against the Arizona Scorpions, a much anticipated match for both sides. The Vibe are looking to improve their overall record to 2-1, while the Scorpions are looking to continue their perfect record so far this season. Considerable drama and long time friendships separate players and fans of these two teams, promising a tense match. This may well be the match of the week, so you will not want to miss it! With that, let me now tell you why LA is going to put an end to the Scorpions perfect record at the end of the night.
Board 1: GM Rogelio Barcenilla vs. GM Melik "The Armenian Leprechaun" Khachiyan
Any of you who know GM Khachiyan can understand the endearing aspect of this moniker. Melik is one of the most positive individuals you will encounter and for our team, embodies the good will and spirit of a leprechaun. Though he is good natured and positive, GM Khachiyan is fierce and determined on the board. Expect this game to be a long fight. Both players are very active and tactical, creating an exciting game. In addition, both players are looking for the win, as they understand that this game is very critical to the match. My prediction is, however, that in the end, the game will end up a hard-fought draw that included many winning chances for both sides following an English opening.
Board 2: FM Joel Banawa vs. IM Dionisio Aldama
Expect fireworks in this game featuring the Kings Indian Defense from Aldama. Because Aldama's style includes aggressive and tactical play, my prediction is that Dionisio will launch some crazy attack, but that Joel will defend valiantly, stopping Dion's attack and winning a piece in the process. At the end of the game, the Vibe will have secured a win in this crucial game. DO NOT MISS THIS GAME!!
Board 3: IM
Danny Rensch vs. WFM Tatev Abrahamyan: Expect another tactical, active game. Both players love to attack and create many imbalances in their respective positions. One significant advantage for Rensch is that he has knowledge in both 1. e4 and 1. d4, making it very challenging to prepare for him. However, Tatev is keenly knowledgeable in her black openings, studying under IM Armen Ambartsoumian. Tatev has also just come off a great tournament in Armenia, narrowly missing out on an IM norm. Other elements to consider in this game include this being Tatev's inaugural USCL game, and Rensch's history of being unpredictable in the USCL. With these factors, the players seem to have equal chances in this game. Predicted outcome? Draw.
Board 4: N
M Christian "The Balla" Tanaka vs. Amanda Mateer: This match is difficult for me to predict an outcome for, in part because I know and respect both players. Christian has proven over the past two years that he is a solid master, while Amanda has improved 100 points in the past year, including an excellent Philadelphia International in June, and has shown no signs of slowing down her hot streak. Christian has the white pieces in this game, and has shown that he is very solid with white, rarely losing. That said, Amanda's openings are excellent, having learned under the tutelage of GM Alejandro Ramirez. Given the relative strengths of both players, my best intuition tells me that this game will be the third game of the match to end in a draw. As a side note, opponents should know that Christian is as fierce a competitor on the basketball court
as he is on the chess board, so think twice or three times before challenging this guy to a one-on-one pick up game!!
So with that, the Vibe will win 2.5-1.5, ending the Scorpions perfect season. I am hoping to be in attendance at this match at Chess Palace, adding whatever spectator support and encouragement I am able to and I ask all of you to tune in sometime Tuesday night. Adios, mis amigos!
Board 1: GM Rogelio Barcenilla vs. GM Melik "The Armenian Leprechaun" Khachiyan
Any of you who know GM Khachiyan can understand the endearing aspect of this moniker. Melik is one of the most positive individuals you will encounter and for our team, embodies the good will and spirit of a leprechaun. Though he is good natured and positive, GM Khachiyan is fierce and determined on the board. Expect this game to be a long fight. Both players are very active and tactical, creating an exciting game. In addition, both players are looking for the win, as they understand that this game is very critical to the match. My prediction is, however, that in the end, the game will end up a hard-fought draw that included many winning chances for both sides following an English opening.
Board 2: FM Joel Banawa vs. IM Dionisio Aldama
Expect fireworks in this game featuring the Kings Indian Defense from Aldama. Because Aldama's style includes aggressive and tactical play, my prediction is that Dionisio will launch some crazy attack, but that Joel will defend valiantly, stopping Dion's attack and winning a piece in the process. At the end of the game, the Vibe will have secured a win in this crucial game. DO NOT MISS THIS GAME!!
Board 3: IM
Danny Rensch vs. WFM Tatev Abrahamyan: Expect another tactical, active game. Both players love to attack and create many imbalances in their respective positions. One significant advantage for Rensch is that he has knowledge in both 1. e4 and 1. d4, making it very challenging to prepare for him. However, Tatev is keenly knowledgeable in her black openings, studying under IM Armen Ambartsoumian. Tatev has also just come off a great tournament in Armenia, narrowly missing out on an IM norm. Other elements to consider in this game include this being Tatev's inaugural USCL game, and Rensch's history of being unpredictable in the USCL. With these factors, the players seem to have equal chances in this game. Predicted outcome? Draw.Board 4: N
M Christian "The Balla" Tanaka vs. Amanda Mateer: This match is difficult for me to predict an outcome for, in part because I know and respect both players. Christian has proven over the past two years that he is a solid master, while Amanda has improved 100 points in the past year, including an excellent Philadelphia International in June, and has shown no signs of slowing down her hot streak. Christian has the white pieces in this game, and has shown that he is very solid with white, rarely losing. That said, Amanda's openings are excellent, having learned under the tutelage of GM Alejandro Ramirez. Given the relative strengths of both players, my best intuition tells me that this game will be the third game of the match to end in a draw. As a side note, opponents should know that Christian is as fierce a competitor on the basketball courtas he is on the chess board, so think twice or three times before challenging this guy to a one-on-one pick up game!!
So with that, the Vibe will win 2.5-1.5, ending the Scorpions perfect season. I am hoping to be in attendance at this match at Chess Palace, adding whatever spectator support and encouragement I am able to and I ask all of you to tune in sometime Tuesday night. Adios, mis amigos!
Monday, August 30, 2010
LA Vibe vs. Dallas Destiny Preview, plus other Week 2 Predictions
Greetings again, USCL Community!
Week 1 saw much action and excitement, and left quite a bit of suspense with regard to what Week 2 would bring. Many underdogs prevailed, including my LA Vibe defeating the St. Louis Archbishops in a close match. This week, the Vibe will be playing the Dallas Destiny, who lost their first match to the San Francisco Mechanics. The Destiny will be looking to make their record 50%, while LA looks to continue its perfect record. Let's cut to the chase and break down the boards and explain why LA will advance to 2-0!
Board 1: GM Melikset Khachiyan vs. GM Alejandro Ramirez: This match features two of my favorite GMs, so it will be challenging to make a prediction here. Both players are extremely strong, with Melik being more tactical, while Alejandro is a positional genius. Both have played each other a few times over the board, with most of the games ending in draws. However, the two recently squared off at the US Open in Irvine, with Alejandro coming out on top with the black pieces. Given that the USCL is not over the board play, and the faster time control suits Melik more so than Alejandro, I predict that this game will end in a draw.
Board 2: NM Tyler Hughes vs. FM Alexandre Kretchetov: This game will be very close, since both players are quite close in rating and strength, though I think Kretchetov is slightly stronger. Hughes has recently had two rough tournaments, and Kretchetov is just coming off a great draw against GM Ben Finegold. Given this, I believe Kretchetov will pull out the win with black.
Board 3: FM Joel Banawa vs. FM Keaton Kiewra: If you can only watch one game, this is the game to watch! Joel has just come off a great win over IM Michael Brooks of St. Louis, and recently tied for first place in the Southern California State Championship. Both players are very tactical and are comfortable with wild positions, so this game could result in fireworks. In the end, the game will sizzle into a draw.
Board 4: NM Nelson Lopez vs. NM Ankit Gupta: This will be another close game. Ankit will be aided with the momentum from his win over Spencer Finegold of St. Louis last week, while Nelson lost a decisive game against FM Andy Lee of San Francisco during his 2010 USCL debut. In addition, Ankit is currently rated about 100 points higher than Nelson, having recently finished fourth in the Southern California State Championship. Given these advantages, Ankit should win this game.
At the end of the night when all games are concluded, LA will emerge victorious by a score of 3-1 and have their second win of the season. I'm looking forward to celebrating a 2-0 record.
To make my blog more interesting, I will make predictions for the other league matches coming up on Wednesday. If my prognostications prove accurate, perhaps I can become the USCL Octopus (2010 World Cup phenomenal blogger)!
Boston Blitz vs. Philadelphia Inventors: Boston 2.5-1.5
Baltimore Kingfishers vs. Manhattan Applesauce: Draw 2-2
Chicago Blaze vs. St. Louis Archbishops: St. Louis 2.5-1.5
Have fun following the games, everyone!! Until next time!!
Week 1 saw much action and excitement, and left quite a bit of suspense with regard to what Week 2 would bring. Many underdogs prevailed, including my LA Vibe defeating the St. Louis Archbishops in a close match. This week, the Vibe will be playing the Dallas Destiny, who lost their first match to the San Francisco Mechanics. The Destiny will be looking to make their record 50%, while LA looks to continue its perfect record. Let's cut to the chase and break down the boards and explain why LA will advance to 2-0!
Board 1: GM Melikset Khachiyan vs. GM Alejandro Ramirez: This match features two of my favorite GMs, so it will be challenging to make a prediction here. Both players are extremely strong, with Melik being more tactical, while Alejandro is a positional genius. Both have played each other a few times over the board, with most of the games ending in draws. However, the two recently squared off at the US Open in Irvine, with Alejandro coming out on top with the black pieces. Given that the USCL is not over the board play, and the faster time control suits Melik more so than Alejandro, I predict that this game will end in a draw.
Board 2: NM Tyler Hughes vs. FM Alexandre Kretchetov: This game will be very close, since both players are quite close in rating and strength, though I think Kretchetov is slightly stronger. Hughes has recently had two rough tournaments, and Kretchetov is just coming off a great draw against GM Ben Finegold. Given this, I believe Kretchetov will pull out the win with black.
Board 3: FM Joel Banawa vs. FM Keaton Kiewra: If you can only watch one game, this is the game to watch! Joel has just come off a great win over IM Michael Brooks of St. Louis, and recently tied for first place in the Southern California State Championship. Both players are very tactical and are comfortable with wild positions, so this game could result in fireworks. In the end, the game will sizzle into a draw.
Board 4: NM Nelson Lopez vs. NM Ankit Gupta: This will be another close game. Ankit will be aided with the momentum from his win over Spencer Finegold of St. Louis last week, while Nelson lost a decisive game against FM Andy Lee of San Francisco during his 2010 USCL debut. In addition, Ankit is currently rated about 100 points higher than Nelson, having recently finished fourth in the Southern California State Championship. Given these advantages, Ankit should win this game.
At the end of the night when all games are concluded, LA will emerge victorious by a score of 3-1 and have their second win of the season. I'm looking forward to celebrating a 2-0 record.
To make my blog more interesting, I will make predictions for the other league matches coming up on Wednesday. If my prognostications prove accurate, perhaps I can become the USCL Octopus (2010 World Cup phenomenal blogger)!
Boston Blitz vs. Philadelphia Inventors: Boston 2.5-1.5
Baltimore Kingfishers vs. Manhattan Applesauce: Draw 2-2
Chicago Blaze vs. St. Louis Archbishops: St. Louis 2.5-1.5
Have fun following the games, everyone!! Until next time!!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
LA Vibe vs. St. Louis Archbishops Week 1 Recap
At about 5:30 PM PST, my good friend, Daniel Giordani, and I arrived at the Chess Palace anticipating a tough and intense inaugural USCL match for both teams. We were right, though we had no idea the level of suspense that was in store for us, as spectators. About ten minutes before the round, GM Melikset Khachiyan, the team captain, gave a pep talk to the team explaining the importance of this game, and gave specific instructions to the players about their opponents. After the pep talk, I felt a warm up song was in order to feel "the vibe" of the match. We listened to "Right Now" by Van Halen. This song is played right before the start of the LA Laker games, so I felt it was appropriate.
Onto the match! Melik surprised me by avoiding his pet Grunfeld and opting for the Knights Tango. He eventually snatched two pawns in the opening, allowing his opponent, GM Yury Shulman, some counter play. When I turned my head to our board 2, I was pleasantly surprised that FM Alexandre Kretchetov obtained a good position as white out of the opening, giving GM Ben Finegold a difficult Hedgehog structure. Board 3 featured a Cobra variation of the Sicillian by our very own FM Joel Banawa. By move six, Banawa's opponent, IM Michael Brooks, seemed confused by the opening, giving Banawa a significant time edge. Board 4 featured a four knights game between Ankit Gupta and Spencer Finegold. This is an opening that I am unfamiliar with, but I trusted that Ankit knew what he was doing, given the rating advantage over his opponent .
By 8:30 PM, GM Melik lost a close game against Shulman. We were all disappointed, but Melik reminded us that the match was still young and to play hard. Soon after Melik lost, Kretchetov achieved a much better position after 22.c5, and Joel was up a pawn. However, Joel was blitzing under time pressure, and could have blundered easily. Fortunately after playing a few moves, Ankit Gupta had won by trapping his opponents knight, a break that was much needed for the Vibe. Suddenly, we were all feeling our "mojo" and realized that there were real possibilities of winning this match. After Banawa picked up a second pawn against Brooks, Kretchetov offered a draw in a better position, confident that his teammate could win two pawns up in time pressure. Of course, Finegold accepted Kretchetov's draw offer, which left the pressure on Joel to convert the win in time pressure. About twenty minutes after Kretchetov's game had finished, at 9:30 PM, Brooks resigned, securing the match for the Vibe.
After Banawa realized his opponent had resigned, he let out a "Yes!" and threw his arms in the air. GM Melik was the first one to give him a huge hug, and celebration ensued in the Chess Palace. Everyone was extremely happy and celebratory. "This is one of many more to come!" exclaimed Khachiyan. I must say I have not felt as happy and excited all summer. What a great way to start a franchise!
Before I conclude this entry, I must thank Vibe Assistant Manager, Doreen Tanaka, for bringing Krispy Kreme Doughnuts for the team and spectators to enjoy! We really enjoyed them, Doreen!! Also, thank you to the Ong family for hosting this event in their chess club. Up next: Dallas Destiny on September 1. Ale-Alejandro!!!!
Onto the match! Melik surprised me by avoiding his pet Grunfeld and opting for the Knights Tango. He eventually snatched two pawns in the opening, allowing his opponent, GM Yury Shulman, some counter play. When I turned my head to our board 2, I was pleasantly surprised that FM Alexandre Kretchetov obtained a good position as white out of the opening, giving GM Ben Finegold a difficult Hedgehog structure. Board 3 featured a Cobra variation of the Sicillian by our very own FM Joel Banawa. By move six, Banawa's opponent, IM Michael Brooks, seemed confused by the opening, giving Banawa a significant time edge. Board 4 featured a four knights game between Ankit Gupta and Spencer Finegold. This is an opening that I am unfamiliar with, but I trusted that Ankit knew what he was doing, given the rating advantage over his opponent .
By 8:30 PM, GM Melik lost a close game against Shulman. We were all disappointed, but Melik reminded us that the match was still young and to play hard. Soon after Melik lost, Kretchetov achieved a much better position after 22.c5, and Joel was up a pawn. However, Joel was blitzing under time pressure, and could have blundered easily. Fortunately after playing a few moves, Ankit Gupta had won by trapping his opponents knight, a break that was much needed for the Vibe. Suddenly, we were all feeling our "mojo" and realized that there were real possibilities of winning this match. After Banawa picked up a second pawn against Brooks, Kretchetov offered a draw in a better position, confident that his teammate could win two pawns up in time pressure. Of course, Finegold accepted Kretchetov's draw offer, which left the pressure on Joel to convert the win in time pressure. About twenty minutes after Kretchetov's game had finished, at 9:30 PM, Brooks resigned, securing the match for the Vibe.
After Banawa realized his opponent had resigned, he let out a "Yes!" and threw his arms in the air. GM Melik was the first one to give him a huge hug, and celebration ensued in the Chess Palace. Everyone was extremely happy and celebratory. "This is one of many more to come!" exclaimed Khachiyan. I must say I have not felt as happy and excited all summer. What a great way to start a franchise!
Before I conclude this entry, I must thank Vibe Assistant Manager, Doreen Tanaka, for bringing Krispy Kreme Doughnuts for the team and spectators to enjoy! We really enjoyed them, Doreen!! Also, thank you to the Ong family for hosting this event in their chess club. Up next: Dallas Destiny on September 1. Ale-Alejandro!!!!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Week 1: Los Angeles Vibe vs. St. Louis Archbishops Preview
So, the Vibe's USCL season starts on Monday, facing off against one of the strongest teams in the league, the St. Louis Archbishops. Fortunately for us, we will not have to face St. Louis' "Big 3," as GM Hikaru Nakamura will have just finished the Youth vs. Experience super tournament in Amsterdam. However, we will have to face two of the Big 3, in GMs Yury Shulman and Ben Finegold. Let me break down each board and explain why the Vibe will win their first match as a franchise.
Board 1: GM Yury Shulman vs. GM Melikset Khachiyan: The 
Vibe's GM certainly has his hands full with this one. Shulman, the 2008 US Champion, has proven himself to be one of the premier Grandmasters in American chess, and almost impossible to beat with white. Shulman is likely to open up with 1.d4, provoking Melik's pet Grunfeld Defense. If the game ends up in a Grunfeld, Melik will certainly have no trouble in the opening, and have knowledge of many middlegame positions that may occur. Melik is a natural team player, and he knows how important it is for him not to lose this game. If Melik keeps his fighting spirit and does not let his underdog status get to him, I believe this game will end up in a draw.
Vibe's GM certainly has his hands full with this one. Shulman, the 2008 US Champion, has proven himself to be one of the premier Grandmasters in American chess, and almost impossible to beat with white. Shulman is likely to open up with 1.d4, provoking Melik's pet Grunfeld Defense. If the game ends up in a Grunfeld, Melik will certainly have no trouble in the opening, and have knowledge of many middlegame positions that may occur. Melik is a natural team player, and he knows how important it is for him not to lose this game. If Melik keeps his fighting spirit and does not let his underdog status get to him, I believe this game will end up in a draw.
Board 2: FM Alexandre Kretchetov vs. GM Ben Finegold: Unfortunately for the Vibe, this game will not work in their favor. Finegold is an extremely consistent GM, and will most likely take advantage of his higher rating and pull out the win for the Archbishops, despite having the black pieces. Kretchetov has had disappointing results as of late, which makes this game even harder for him. However, I have seen Alex play a few great games. Hopefully he can prove my prediction wrong.
Board 3: IM Mich
ael Brooks vs. FM Joel Banawa: This
game could decide who wins the match. Fortunately, I think this result will be positive for the Vibe. While both players have about the same rating, Banawa is coming off a successful US Open, while Brooks is coming off an unfortunate string of tournaments. Having drawn three GMs in the US Open, Banawa has proven he is ready for the IM title. I believe that despite the color disadvantage, Joel will win this one for the Vibe.
Board 3: IM Mich
ael Brooks vs. FM Joel Banawa: This game could decide who wins the match. Fortunately, I think this result will be positive for the Vibe. While both players have about the same rating, Banawa is coming off a successful US Open, while Brooks is coming off an unfortunate string of tournaments. Having drawn three GMs in the US Open, Banawa has proven he is ready for the IM title. I believe that despite the color disadvantage, Joel will win this one for the Vibe.
Board 4: NM Ankit Gu
pta vs. Spencer Finegold: This game is going to be decisive. Ankit is 200 points underrated in the USCL, having recently broken 2300 at the US Open. Spencer has proven himself to be a solid A player, maintaining a rating in the high 1900's for almost a year. Given this rating differential, all the pressure is on Gupta to win, giving Spencer a possible psychological advantage. Nonetheless, this game should be a win for Ankit, securing the Vibe the match.
pta vs. Spencer Finegold: This game is going to be decisive. Ankit is 200 points underrated in the USCL, having recently broken 2300 at the US Open. Spencer has proven himself to be a solid A player, maintaining a rating in the high 1900's for almost a year. Given this rating differential, all the pressure is on Gupta to win, giving Spencer a possible psychological advantage. Nonetheless, this game should be a win for Ankit, securing the Vibe the match.With these predictions, the Vibe will win the match 2.5-1.5. If my predictions prove to be correct, this will be a great way to start off franchise history for Los Angeles, and I already visualize many happy faces in the Chess Palace after the match on Monday night!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
2010 USCL Season Preview
Hey All!
So here I am writing a post about my predictions for the 2010 USCL Season, the strongest USCL season yet. I have been following the USCL since 2005 and have not seen so many strong teams. Before making these predictions, I have no intention in insulting/offending anyone in any way; this is just a blog expressing my honest opinion from a fan. Without further ado, let me start with my West Division Predictions!
So here I am writing a post about my predictions for the 2010 USCL Season, the strongest USCL season yet. I have been following the USCL since 2005 and have not seen so many strong teams. Before making these predictions, I have no intention in insulting/offending anyone in any way; this is just a blog expressing my honest opinion from a fan. Without further ado, let me start with my West Division Predictions!
West Division
- Arizona Scorpions- The Scorps suffered a severe off-season blow with the loss of GM Alejandro Ramirez to the Dallas Destiny. Instead, the Scorpions will have to use IMs Rogelio Barcenilla and Levon Altounian. As Barcenilla has only played one tournament in the past five years, and with the recent shaky results from Altounian, I envision board 1 problems for the Scorpions. The saving grace is that there are a few good possibilities for boards 3 and 4. The Scorpions will probably play FM's Warren Harper and Robby Adamson on 3rd board, while masters David Adelberg, Nick Thompson, and experts John Gurczak and Amanda Mateer are solid candidates for 4th board. However, with the woes on boards one and two, I do not expect the Scorpions to make the playoffs this year. Grade: B-
- Chicago Blaze-The Blaze scored big in the off-season, acquiring GMs Dimitry Gurevich and Mesgen Amanov. This may be exactly what the Blaze need to get into the playoffs. With a solid 1-2 punch on boards 1 and 2 (with the possibility of using IM Florin Felecan on either of these boards,) the Blaze also have IM Angelo Young, first team all-star on board 3 in 2009. On board 4, the Blaze have two extremely talented juniors, NMs Eric Rosen and Trevor Magness. With the lineup of Gurevich, Amanov, Young, and Rosen, I believe the Blaze will get to the playoffs this year. The only crutch to the Blaze is that many of the players are new to the league, and may not be able to make the adjustment to internet play. Grade: A-
- Dallas Destiny- The Destiny are returning from a tough 2009 season, in which they failed to qualify for the playoffs. They have revamped their roster by adding GM Alejandro Ramirez, and IMs Puchen Wang and Rade Milovanovic. The only question mark in the Destiny lineup is who is going to be a successful 4th board. Having not played chess in a year, Gerald Roberts is a very questionable 4th board. Bayaraa Zorigt had a tough USCL season last year, and Nelson Lopez has yet to prove himself in the USCL. If the Destiny can find a steady 4th board, they are in it to win it. Grade: B+
- Los Angeles Vibe- The Vibe are a new expansion team to the USCL, but should not be taken lightly. GMs Melikset Khachiyan and IM Andranik Matikozyan make for a solid punch on boards 1 and 2. Other possibilities for board 2 include FMs Joel Banawa and Alexandre Kretchetov. Yet, the strength for the Vibe comes with their flexibility on the lower boards, composed by solid FMs and masters who have had successful results as of late, including 2010 National High School Champion Christian Tanaka. The two main guns for the Vibe come on board 4 in NMs Konstatin Kavutskiy and Ankit Gupta. Both are 100-150 points underrated for league play and are still improving. I can see both becoming USCL All-Stars and leading the Vibe to a playoff appearance in their first season. Grade: B+/A-
- Miami Sharks- The Sharks have been one of the most successful teams in USCL history and I expect them to make the playoffs once again this year. With the leadership from GMs Julio Becerra and Reinier Gonzalez, the Sharks will be deadly. Possibilities for board 2 include IM Blas Lugo and FM Marcel Martinez. Moreover, their bottom board variety makes the team more of a threat, with young talents Robert Perez and Nicholas Rosenthal. With this lineup, the Sharks are a major contender to return to the USCL Championship this year. Grade: A
- San Francisco Mechanics- The Mechanics return again hoping for another successful season in the USCL. With the loss of IM Sam Shankland, the Mechanics picked up IM Dimitry Zilberstein. With the recent recruits of FMs Steven Zierk and Andy Lee, the Mechanics are almost sure to return to the playoffs for the sixth time in six seasons. If they get by this "wild card curse," the Mechanics could capture their second championship in USCL history. Grade: A
- Seattle Sluggers- The Sluggers, like the Mechanics, are hoping for another successful year from the franchise. With the loss of super GM Hikaru Nakamura, the Sluggers went out and acquired GM Varuzhan Akobian to take his place on board 1. The Sluggers also have GMs Gregory Serper and Emil Anka, so plenty of firepower is in place for the top boards. With a variety of options for board 3, and juniors Alex Guo and Michael Wang executing board four duties, the Sluggers look like a serious contender to win the West. Grade: A
- St. Louis Archbishops- With the famous Big 3, composed of super GM's Hikaru Nakamura, Yury Shulman, and Ben Finegold, St. Louis is the Miami Heat of the USCL. Similar to the Heat in the NBA, St. Louis looks unstoppable on paper. However, the Big 3's time and availability are limited, as they are all chess professionals and have busy tournament schedules. However, if they make it to the playoffs with the Big 3 playing, the Archbishops will be impossible to beat and extremely tough to draw. Will they make it to the playoffs? Yes. The Big 3 will play just enough to guarantee St. Louis a spot in the playoffs, maybe a 4th place finish. Of course, the Archbishops will still have to work hard while the Big 3 is absent. Grade: A
East Division
- Baltimore Kingfishers- Having captured the USCL crown in 2005, the Kingfishers have struggled ever since, although making the playoffs last year. Baltimore has a solid board 1 in Sergey Erenburg, provided he is available most weeks. The Kingfishers have plenty of support on the bottom boards, including WGM Sabina Foisor and IM Ray Kaufman. Pivotal to the Kingfishers is who can be a consistent bottom board. The two main options are NMs Ricky Selzler and Jared Defibaugh. If the Kingfishers can find a consistent 4th board, they are in serious contention of returning to the playoffs once again. Grade: B
- Boston Blitz- The Blitz are arguably the best team in the USCL that has never won a championship. The Blitz are a top board heavy team, including GMs Larry Christiansen and Eugene Perelshteyn. With such a top heavy lineup, the Blitz could stack and put underrated junior Grant Xu on board 4, leaving room to put players like IM Marc Esserman and SM Denys Shmelov on board 3. With the lineup of Christiansen, Perelshteyn, Esserman, and Xu, the Blitz could be a deadly team in the playoffs. Grade: A-
- Carolina Cobras- The Cobras return in 2010 after a last place finish last year in the East. Problems continue for the franchise, with the off-season loss of team hero FM Oleg Zaikov. The Cobras have a huge hole on board 1, with IM Jonathan Schroer having to play nearly every week. To make matters worse, Schroer will have to prove himself after a disappointing individual season last year. Fortunately for the Cobras, boards 3 and 4 should not be much of a problem, with solid possibilities of NMs Craig Jones and Chris Mabe, and the underrated Richard Herbst, recently coming off an excellent Denker Tournament of Champions. Still, a finish in the top 6 would be a good season for the Cobras. Grade: C
- Manhattan Applesauce- Formerly known as the Queens Pioneers, the Applesauce look to be serious contenders in the East. Led by GM Alex Stripunsky and IMs Eli Vovsha, Lev Milman, and Dimitry Schneider, the Applesauce see no problem on the top boards. Board 3 responsibilities could be given to many candidates, including FM Andrei Zaremba, Benjamin Katz, and WFM and the famous IS 318 coach, Elizabeth Vicary. However, pivotal to the Applesauce is their underrated junior, who will play board 4: James Black, 2009 6th Grade National Champion. Checking into the league with a 1852 rating, Black is about 200-250 points underrated. If the Applesauce used a stacked lineup with Black on board 4, and Black can perform well, the Applesauce have the tools to become the first expansion team to win a USCL championship. Grade: B+
- New England Nor'easters- Even without a GM, the Nor'easters look to be serious contenders in the East. With the extremely strong IM Sam Shankland, 2010 US Junior champion, on board 1, the Nor'easters don't see the absence of a GM as much of a problem. With IMs David Vigorito, Jan van de Mortel, and Robert Hungaski as options for board 2 and alternatives for board 1, New England should not see any problem scoring points on the upper boards. Boards 3 and 4 will see many solid FMs and NMs, including FM Braden Bournival and NM Carey Theil. However, many of the players are new to the USCL. If the Nor'easters can overcome this possible achilles heal, they are in contention for the playoffs. Grade: B+
- New Jersey Knockouts- Having dominated the East in 2009, the Knockouts once again look for another strong season. Led by GMs Joel Benjamin and 2009 all-star Boris Gulko, the Knockouts should have no trouble scoring on the first board. Board 2 will see IMs Dean Ippolito, MacKenzie Molner, and Albert Kapengut. Boards 3 and 4 will include World Open u2400 winner, FM Victor Shen, and his brother, FM Arthur Shen. Pivotal to the Knockouts success at times will be 4th board, Anna Matlin. If the Knockouts use a stacked lineup of Benjamin, Ippolito, Molner, and Matlin, and Matlin is able to deliver, the Knockouts can beat any team in the league. Grade: A
- New York Knights- Being the defending champions of the USCL, the Knights look to repeat their title this year, and they certainly have the tools to do so. With GMs Giorgi Kacheishvili, Alex Lenderman, Pascal Charbonneau, and John Fedorowicz, the Knights are certainly top board loaded. To compliment these players, the Knights also have IM Irina Krush, FM Alec Getz, and NMs Matt Herman and Aleksandr Ostrovskiy to provide support for boards 2 and 3. Like many other USCL teams, what can be pivotal to the Knights winning a championship is their bottom board, in underrated juniors Justus Williams and Alexander Katz. With the lineup using 3 of New York's GMs and Katz on board 4, the Knights look as scary as St. Louis' "Big 3." Again, it may come down to which board 4 can perform better. Grade: A
- Philadelphia Inventors- Coming off a disappointing season in 2009, the Inventors look to make the playoffs for the second time in six years. The Inventors suffered some serious off-season losses with GM Sergey Kudrin leaving the USCL and GM Alex Lenderman transferring to the New York Knights. To replace these losses, the Inventors acquired former UTD student GM Maghesh Panchanathan. The Inventors have solid top board possibilities in Panchanathan and IM Bryan Smith, but are a bit shaky on who will fill in on board 3. FM Tom Bartell is the best candidate, but a disappointing 2009 individual season makes his result a question mark. For board 4, the Inventors are solid with many possibilities, including IM Richard Costigan and FM Matthew Bengston. If the Inventors can find consistent boards 3 and 4, and keep Panchanathan and Smith on boards 1 and 2, the Inventors will not have a bad year. Grade: B
Writing these predictions have made me realize just how strong the USCL is this 2010 season. I am very excited, and let the games begin on Monday!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Welcome!
Hey Everybody! I have been a fan of the USCL ever since it's inception, and have been wanting to have a franchise from Los Angeles, my hometown. Well, here it is! While my rating is not yet quite high enough to play on the team, I hope to be part of the franchise by writing previews and/or recaps for the team's matches. I plan to blog about once every week for the USCL community. Moreover, I am also using this as an opportunity to expose the chess community to my writing, as I hope to write for Chess Life Online someday. Finally, I would really appreciate any feedback on this blog, positive or negative! Thanks, enjoy this blog, and I wish you all good chess!
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