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Dramatic Race for USCL Playoff Spots. Print E-mail
By Greg Shahade   
October 30, 2006
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Question marks abound as we head into the final week of United States Chess League action. Every single match could determine which teams qualify for the postseason and which teams don't.
Week 10 Matches, Wednesday November 1st

1. Philadelphia Masterminds vs New York Knights 7:00 ET
2. Baltimore Kingfishers vs Boston Blitz 7:15 ET
3. Carolina Cobras vs Tennessee Tempo 8:00 ET
4. San Francisco Mechanics vs Miami Sharks 8:30 ET
5. Dallas Destiny vs Seattle Sluggers 9:00 ET

In the East, the Baltimore Kingfishers will make it into the playoffs with only a draw. However, if they want to finish in 2nd place and ensure draw odds in the first round they may have to beat the the 7-2 Boston Blitz, and hope that New York doesn't win by too large of a margin.

New York and Philadelphia are having a head to head duel in which the winner is a lock to qualify for the playoffs, and the loser is a near certainty to be on the sidelines during the postseason.

Dallas qualifies for the playoffs automatically if they draw or win versus Seattle, and can even qualify if they lose, as long as Miami doesn't defeat the 8-1 San Franciso Mechanics. One would think this puts Dallas at a tremendous advantage, although most USCL fans haven't forgotten what happened in last year's Semi-Finals, when Miami looked down and out, but staged an improbable comeback to advance to the USCL Finals.

It should be an incredible five hours of chess and the playoff landscape will be known when the night is over, as well as the winner of the USCL MVP award. Click here to see this week's lineups.
Click here for details on the race to the playoffs.

 
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