10/06/2005

  Miami wins for first time in 4 weeks, leads West by 2 points.
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by IM Greg Shahade                       
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Miami vs Boston

1. GM Julio Becerra (MIA) vs IM Josh Friedel (BOS)  1-0
2. FM William Kelleher (BOS) vs FM Marcel Martinez (MIA) 1/2-1/2
3. NM Miguel Espino (MIA) vs FM Paul MacIntyre (BOS)  1-0
4. NM Charles Riordan (BOS) vs Jorge Diaz (MIA)  1/2-1/2



Miami started the season with a bang, winning their first two matches. Since then the Sharks had managed only one point out of their next three matches, and people started to question whether the Sharks were quite as strong as their fast start suggested. Miami did a good job of silencing the critics in Week 6, with a convincing victory over the Boston Blitz.

Marcel Martinez started the match off by drawing with William Kelleher. Martinez is officially the drawing master of the league as he has now played five games, and has scored five draws. Espino gave Miami a strong lead by beating FM Paul MacIntyre. This left Miami in great shape as things were looking hairy for IM Friedel on board 1:


(Becerra-Friedel - black to move)

 
Friedel was a victim of his own thirst for activity as he played 25...d4, to which Becerra replied with the composed 26.Rfb1. If 26...dxc3 27.bxa5 Qc7 28.Bb4 and white will pick up the c-pawn. Although white's extra pawn is doubled, he should have tremendous winning chances with more active pieces. After 26.Rfb1, Friedel wasn't prepared to sit around and do nothing and initiated an interesting, yet unsuccessful queen sacrifice.

The game continued. 25...d4 26.Rfb1 axb4 27.Rxb4 Nxc5?!! 28.Rxb8 Rexb8 29. cxd4 exd4 30.Qc2 Ra5 31.Rd1 d3 (if 31...Rb4 32.Rb1 is winning) 32.Qc3 and black just doesn't have enough compensation for the material. Becerra was able to break through Friedel's forces and win the game shortly. This win gave Miami a 2.5-0.5 lead, thus clinching the match in their favor. Riordan had tried long enough to win an equal position and just agreed to a draw, as the match was no longer within reach.


 Miami is now a virtual lock to make the playoffs, and is looking very likely to capture the division title, as they have a 2 point lead in the standings with just 4 weeks to go. Miami will face off against Dallas next week, and if they are able to win that match, they could for all intensive purposes clinch the division title with three remaining in this season. This would be crucial for the Sharks as it would guarantee them draw odds in the first round of the playoffs.


Boston has some work to do if they want to sneak into the playoffs. They are unfortunate enough to be located in the East Division, which contains two powerhouse teams in New York and Baltimore (If Boston was in the West, they would currently be in clear 2nd place!). Boston is currently 2 points behind Baltimore and 2.5 points behind New York. It's very likely that Boston will need at least 3.5 from their final four matches to make the playoffs. The Blitz hope to start a winning streak next week against their division rival, the New York Knights, but it won't be easy. Boston is one of only two teams that has managed to achieve a draw against New York, but that was before the Knights had gathered any momentum. Now New York has rattled off four straight victories and is simply steamrolling any team that gets in their way.



Miami Sharks         


Boston Blitz
GM Julio Becerra - 2622 1.0
0.0
IM Josh Friedel - 2477
FM Marcel Martinez - 2469
0.5
0.5
FM William Kelleher - 2383
NM Miguel Espino - 2272
1.0
0.0
FM Paul MacIntyre - 2316
Jorge Diaz - 2180 0.5
0.5
NM Charles Riordan - 2272
Avg Rating - 2386


Avg Rating - 2362
Miami Total -------
3.0
1.0
------- Boston Total



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