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: NM 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!