For this inaugural battle in season three of the USCL we have the two
expansion teams NJ and Queens doing battle in what should be a great
kickoff to the regular season. All the talk of expansion teams
needing
time to get into a groove (in any sport) seems unlikely to affect these
teams as on paper they both have very powerful lineups.
Board 1 we have Benjamin taking on Stripunsky. As most
GM vs. GM battles in the USCL are, it's tough to know whom to give the
edge. My tendency in the past has been to
give the edge to the player with the White pieces even though
historically thus far in the league that hasn't seemed to be backed up
by the numbers. It nevertheless still seems like the only real
way to
ascribe an edge to either team on this board so that's what I'll do. (Slight Edge New Jersey)
Board 2 of Vovsha vs. Bartell has Queens sporting a fairly significant
rating edge and the White pieces here, I have to give them a fair edge.
(Edge Queens)
Board
3 seems like an interesting question with Molner taking on
Coleman.
Molner, though performing poorly last season, did have Black in every
game last season and is statistically much stronger with White so that
could help him erase the demons of last season. On the other hand
Coleman is
coming off an amazing World Open performance so I think this game is
probably close to even. (Even)
Board 4 of Shiber vs. Ju, using the players' most recent ratings gives New Jersey
a more than 200 point rating edge here. Combine that with the
fact
that Shiber has barely played in the past two years while Ju should be
in very good form with his recent rating gains and victory at the US
Cadet, NJ should have a fair edge here even with Black. (Edge New Jersey)
Overall, this match seems really too close to call. I think I'll
start things off by playing it safe and by calling this one a 2-2 tie.
Click
here to go back to
the US Chess League
homepage