09/06/2005

  FM Ron Young's predictions Week 2
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by FM Ron Young                       
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(Last week Ron's predictions were an uninspiring 1-3, can he rebound this week?)


Philadelphia Masterminds


Boston Blitz                   
FM Norman Rogers - 2307

GM Larry Christiansen - 2596
NM Carl Boor - 2329


IM Josh Friedel - 2477
IM Richard Costigan - 2295

FM Paul MacIntyre - 2316
NM Elvin Wilson - 2239

Ilya Krasik - 2123
Avg Rating - 2292


Avg Rating - 2378
Philadelphia Total -------
0.0
0.0
------- Boston Total

I took Dallas to task last week for their choice of
team nickname, so I really ought not to let these two
teams off the hook. It’s especially regrettable to see
the birthplace of independence and the cradle of
liberty sell their birthrights for mere
self-aggrandizement and alliteration. Give me the
great glorious names of old like the Freedoms and the
Tea Men.
 
Philadelphia eschews strict rating order, which
indicates admirable team spirit. But team spirit never
seized the long diagonal or protected f7. Boston,
2.5-1.5.
 ---------------------------------
Baltimore Kingfishers


New York Knights          
IM Pascal Charbonneau - 2506


GM Alex Stripunsky - 2663
FM Tegshsuren Enkhbat - 2453


IM Irina Krush - 2445
IM Larry Kaufman - 2331


IM Jay Bonin - 2379
WGM Katerina Rohonyan - 2309


Evan Rosenberg - 2131
Avg Rating - 2399


Avg Rating - 2404
Baltimore Total -------
0.0
0.0
----- New York Total
 
The top board in this match features two players who
must be doubting themselves after losses last week. I
therefore predict caution on both sides and an
eventual draw. This leaves Baltimore with a slight
edge on the remaining boards, but I see 2-2 as the
likeliest score.
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Miami Sharks


Carolina Cobras      
GM Julio Becerra - 2622


GM Marcin Kaminski - 2473
FM Marcel Martinez - 2469


FM Lev Milman - 2474
IM Blas Lugo - 2422


FM Matthew Hoekstra - 2407
Jose Cabrera - 2093


John Timmel - 2093
Avg Rating - 2401


Avg Rating - 2361
Miami Total -------
0.0
0.0
----- Carolina Total
 
I understand the place of a little intimidation in a
sporting contest, but their logos look to have been
designed for marketing gangwear. Both teams impressed
last week but Miami looks a bit stronger. Sharks by
the odd point, 2.5-1.5

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San Francisco Mechanics


Dallas Destiny               
IM John Donaldson - 2442


GM Alejandro Ramirez - 2565
FM Dmitry Zilberstein - 2435


IM Amon Simutowe - 2471
FM David Pruess - 2432


IM Peter Vavrak - 2476
NM Andy Lee - 2231


Andres Suarez - 2087
Avg Rating - 2385


Avg Rating - 2399
San Francisco Total -------
0.0
0.0
----- Dallas Total
 
Both these teams are clearly serious about improving

on last week’s performance, as all of last week’s

losers will be riding the pine this week. The only

returning players are Zilberstein (whose clutch

victory tied the match for SF last week) and Alejandro

Ramirez, who provided the lone bright spot in Dallas’s

dreary evening. I look for the crafty veteran on SF’s

Board 1 to hold off the Young Turk and for the

‘Nics to pick up a point somewhere below. San Francisco, 2.5-1.5

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