8/23/2006
Lots of exciting updates in the USCL and the website.
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by IM Greg Shahade
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We have added a bit in the last few days while getting ready for
the season opener on Monday. Below are some of the highlights:
1. We have updated the "players" link to list all the players in the
league in rating order. There are still four roster spots that haven't
been confirmed just yet.
2. Jan Ehlvest joins the Philadelphia Masterminds as the highest rated
player in the league. Unfortunately for Philadelphia, Jan will be away
until the sixth match of the season. Given their clear need for a first
board, Jan should be a perfect fit. Jan's good friend GM Alexander
Wojtkiewicz was slated to play first board for the Masterminds this
season but he died tragically about a month ago.
3. Pavel Blehm is a late addition to the Baltimore Kingfishers.
Baltimore wanted to defend their title from last year, but it seemed
very unlikely after losing league MVP GM Pascal Charbonneau. With Pavel
at the helm they have a chance once again. Pavel is expected to play
approximately half of the regular season matches for the Kingfishers.
4. The roster pages for all the teams have been updated and I don't
envision any major changes before the season begins. Philadelphia still
needs to confirm their final two players, Tennessee and Carolina both
have one player to confirm.
5. It's expected that NM Arun Sharma, a big fan of the USCL, will be
writing preseason predictions in a few days. Stay tuned to find out
whether your favorite team is expected to finish in first place or in
last.
6. Rumor has it that PinnacleSports.com is again going to be placing
out betting lines for the US Chess League, starting on opening day,
with small limits.
7. This year 3 teams from each division will qualify for the playoffs.
The 2nd+3rd place team from each division will face off in the "Wild
Card" Round with the 2nd place finisher receiving draw odds. The
winners of that match will go on to face the 1st place finisher from
their division, with the 1st place finisher receiving draw odds. Then
the two winners will face off in the League Championship. This means
that more teams will qualify for the playoffs, but there is an
extremely large advantage to the team that wins their division during
the regular season.
8. In case you missed it, Pokerstars.com is now sponsoring the league.
This has resulted in each non-expansion team receiving $100 per match
from the league. Many teams have used this to pay top players, some
have used it to heighten the spectating experience for their local fans
while some have used it to give their team group lessons with strong
players. All fans of chess are encouraged to send an email of thanks to
Pokerstars at pokermanager@pokerstars.com, to ensure that we get even
more sponsorship next season!
9. The league is stronger from top to bottom this season. Last year
there were seven players rated above 2500 USCF and this year there are
fourteen! Last year there were six GM's and this year there are
eight. It should be an extremely competitive season, with lots of
exciting chess for thirteen weeks. Don't forget to tune in to ICC on
Monday August 28th to watch the Seattle Sluggers and Tennessee Tempo
kick off the USCL season in style.