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US Chess League Final: Chicago Blaze vs. New York Knights Print E-mail
By Kostya Kavutskiy   
November 18, 2011
USCLmainlogo.jpgThe US Chess League final is set for Sunday November 20th, at 3 PM EST! Tune in to the Internet Chess Club  to watch the games live. Check out Kostya Kavutskiy's semifinals recap and see all games, line-ups and details on uschessleague.com.  UPDATE 11/20: The Knights capture the USCL title. Full story coming soon!  

Chicago Blaze vs. Los Angeles Vibe 2.5-1.5

The match looked good for Los Angeles at first, with GM Melikset Khachiyan equalizing against GM Yury Shulman on board one and Albert Lu beating the higher rated NM Sam Schmakel on board four.

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But in the end Chicago showed the inherent strength of using a triple-GM lineup. GM Josh Friedel and GM Dmitry Gurevich were simply too much for IM Zhanibek Amanov and WGM Tatev Abrahamyan, earning the Blaze their first ever chance at the USCL Championship.

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Manhattan Applesauce vs. New York Knights 1.5-2.5

The all-New York eastern semifinal started with New York's NM Justus Williams scoring a fine positional victory over NM James Black.

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After this Manhattan's FM Farai Mandhiza was unable to convert an endgame advantage and the game ended up in a draw, giving New York a 1.5-0.5 lead.

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Manhattan didn't go down without a fight. GM Alex Stripunsky won an opposite colored bishops endgame against GM Giorgi Kacheishvili which for a very long time was equal and seemed drawn, to tie the match up at 1.5-1.5.

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But IM Irina Krush came through for the Knights and defeated IM John Bartholomew. 

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With this win, the Knights advanced to their third USCL Championship match.

Game of the Week


IM Zhanibek Amanov (LA) - GM Josh Friedel (CHC) 0-1
AmanovFriedel.jpg


GM Friedel found a very strong pawn sacrifice with 26...e4 in the seemingly equal position above and organized a winning attack against the white king. You can read the whole article on the USCL blog. 

Best Move
IM Zhanibek Amanov (LA) - GM Josh Friedel (CHC) 0-1
 
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Black to Move


Show Solution



This Sunday the 7th USCL Championship Match will take place on ICC at 3PM EST, featuring the Chicago Blaze, the hottest team all season, versus the New York Knights, who have a powerful team each year and hold plenty of championship experience. Browse line-ups and most importantly, do not miss it!

 
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November - Chess Life Online 2011

Sucesso in Brazil Four-Way Tie at Turkey Bowl in Florida The US Chess Scoop on the National Chess Congress Shabalov Wins STL Thanksgiving Open, GM Norm Tourney BeginsThanksgiving Results are in Stars of Chess in Education Gather in Dallas Liang Golden at World Youth; Silver for Li Carlsen Wins Tal Memorial, Plans Trip to NYC Hou Yifan Defends World Women's Title Happy Thanksgiving From BrazilNew York Knights: 2011 US Chess League Champs Nakamura Hunts for a Win in Moscow Hou Extends Lead in Women's World Championship US Junior Congress Smashes RecordsOver 1000 Compete in K-12 Nationals in Dallas US Chess League Final: Chicago Blaze vs. New York Knights A Weekend in Dallas: National K-12 Champs Kick Off Preparing for Brazil: Awonder Has Adream Heading to Brazil: World Youth Awaits Amanov & Akopyan Top 12th FIDE Metropolitan Invitational John Ballow Earns Correspondence IM TitleRuth Haring: President's Report Tal Memorial Begins in Moscow US Chess League Highlights: Quarterfinals Kaidanov Takes Throne in King's IslandWomen's World Championship Begins Grandmasters Attack in Michigan Brooklyn Castle: The IS 318 Story Urgent Update for Organizers of FIDE Rated Tournaments2012 Samford Fellowship: Call for Applications US Chess League: Week Ten Highlights The Scoop on the US Chess League: Eastern DivisionMore Action Than Ever in Irvine & Miami The November Check is in the Mail Kekelidze New Marshall Club Champ; Wu Second Greg on Norms Part I: Please Stop Caring! Pumpkin Patch Chess Tournament A Better Place to Wait in Dallas New in Chess and the FEB show on Nakamura and Kasparov