Home Page arrow Chess Life Online arrow 2008 arrow November arrow Boston, Carolina, Miami and Dallas Make USCL Semis
Boston, Carolina, Miami and Dallas Make USCL Semis Print E-mail
November 11, 2008
USCLmainlogo.jpgThe Boston Blitz, Carolina Cobras, Miami Sharks and Dallas Destiny prevailed in the U.S. Chess League quarterfinals. On November 19, the defending championship team, the Destiny will face off against the Sharks while Carolina meets the Blitz. After playing through this week's action, be sure to try to answer the following trivia question for your chance to win up to $25 of  merchandise from the USCL store.

Trivia: Name all the individual matchups that have occured twice already in the 2008 U.S. Chess League season, with the SAME COLORS, up to and including this week's quarterfinal matches. The first person to send the correct answers to [email protected] wins. Include your mailing address and what you want if you win. Sorry, USCL players, previous USCL contest winners and managers are ineligible.

The crush of the week


This week's action was full of surprises. The Carolina Cobras defeated New York 3.5/4, which was an unfortunate finish for New York, who had an astonishing late season comeback.

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The Blitz Advance to Semis


The Boston Blitz leaped to victory over Queens with two nice wins from GM Larry Christiansen on board one and Ilya Krasik on board four. This ensured the 2.5-1.5 match win (Queens had draw odds) despite Eugene Perelstheyn's loss to Dmitry Schneider in the Maroczy Bind.

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37.Bd3USCL.jpg
Larry just played 37.Bd3. What's the idea?

Show Solution



Dallas Rolls on

In the match of former championship teams Dallas Destiny (2007) and San Francisco Mechanics (2006), many USCL pundits gave the Mechanics the edge, especially since they had draw odds. But Dallas prevailed 2.5-1.5, spearheaded by two nice wins by WFM Bayaara Zorigt and IM Davorin Kuljasevic. Remarkably, this victory means that the only two teams on the USCL roster without Grandmasters, Carolina and Dallas, have advanced to the playoffs. Those who are forming their Amateur Team squads now should take note:  Balanced teams seem to be on a roll.

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Sharks Edge Out Sluggers

Miami's 2.5-1.5 win over the Seattle Sluggers can be credited largely to GM Julio Becerra, who bested GM Hikaru Nakamura when the recent Cap D'Adge champion could not find sufficient compensation for a sacrificed piece. Julio has a history of strong USCL performances, and is a two-time Most Valuable Player.

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With just four teams left, be sure to tune into the semifinals on November 19 starting at 7 PM EST. See schedules, complete pgn files, lineups and links to video, blogs and more on the USCL homepage.
 
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November - Chess Life Online 2008

UTD Invitational Update Hilton Blogs from Dresden, Part II Julio Becerra Wins Turkey Bowl Norm Tournaments Kick off in DallasU.S. Teams Celebrate Bronze MedalsU.S. Men Win Bronze Too!! Women Take Bronze!! Medal Chances for AmericaLeaders Falter in Dresden USCF Statement on Susan PolgarBiennial Border BattleU.S. Women Beat Russia!Onischuk and Rohonyan Score Big Wins Kinks in Kamsky Match Resolved Big Tests for Americans in Round SevenVictory in Round Six for USA Sarkar Takes Northern Virginia Open Rested Squads Resume ActionU.S. Chess League SemiFinals TonightKamsky-Topalov Negotiated on Rest DayHilton Blogs From Dresden Three-Way Tie in King's Island USA Cruises in Round 5 44th American Open Coming UpGM Rogers on Hits and Misses at the Olympiad Josh on Getting Close at the ContinentalUSA Almost Perfect in Round 3King's Island Kicks OffUSA Stumbles in Round TwoRound 1 Wraps; Round 2 DelayIrina's Dresden Gallery Let the Games Begin in Dresden California Dreamin' in Texas Response from Bulgaria on Kamsky TopalovBoston, Carolina, Miami and Dallas Make USCL Semis William Addison, 1933-2008Gata Speaks on Topalov MatchLarry Kaufman World Senior Champion! Ehlvest Wins Continental and World Cup Spot Larry in Clear Lead at World SeniorOpen Letter on Topalov Kamsky from USCF Ehlvest pulls away at the Continental Action Set for BrownsvilleNew Jersey Knocked OutLarry Kaufman Tied for Lead at World SeniorFour GMs Lead Four Rounds into the Continental Dallas Stomps Belgrade in Intercollegiate MatchIM Kaufman Reports from the World Senior