San Francisco Mechanics

Welcome to the homepage of the 2006 USCL Champions, the San Francisco Mechanics. The Mechanics will play their matches at the Mechanics Chess Club in downtown San Francisco.


     The Mechanics came into 2009 with high hopes as usual, boasting an impressive quadruple GM roster along with their typical array of strong up and comers in IM Sam Shankland, FM Daniel Naroditsky, and NM Yian Liou.  Unfortunately, having so many strong professionals on their roster, San Francisco had to maneuver a bit to be able to field an appropriate lineup every week.  However, their results didn't demonstrate those difficulties, as the Mechanics showcased another very strong regular season, finishing in the Top Two of the Western Division for the fifth consecutive year.

     But as many troubles as they managed to overcome, their now apparent Draw Odds curse did not end up being one of them, falling to Miami in the Semifinals, the third time the Sharks have eliminated them under that circumstance in the Playoffs. 

     Despite having to endure another Playoff disappointment, the future still looks bright for the Mechanics, always having a nice collection of strong players and youth to obtain a well balanced roster which tends to generally make them one of the preseason favorites.  As usual though, the continued improvement of their youth players will require a bit of change in their roster structure, and it should be particularly interesting to see how 2009 All Star Liou, after a great first season, might fit into their 2010 roster.    

2009 San Francisco Mechanics Team:  Back: TD Payam Tanaka, IM John Donaldson, GM Patrick Wolff, IM David Pruess
Front: GM Jesse Kraai, IM Sam Shankland, GM Vinay Bhat, FM Daniel Naroditsky, NM Yian Liou, GM Josh Friedel

Roster
Schedule
History
Team Blog

San Francisco's Historical Results:

2009:  6.5 3.5, 2nd Place in the Western Division.  Lost 2.5 - 1.5 in Semifinals to Miami
20086.5 3.5, 2nd Place in the Western Division.  Lost 2.5 - 1.5 in Quarterfinals to Dallas
20076.0
4.0, 2nd Place in the Western Division.  Lost 2.5 - 1.5 in Wildcard Round to Miami
20068.5
1.5, 1st Place in the Western Division.  Won Championship against New York in Tiebreaker
20056.0
4.0, 1st Place in the Western Division.  Lost 2.5 - 1.5 in Semfinals to Miami


If you'd like to see the San Francisco Mechanics work their way to the Championship, click on the link below to make a donation to the team.  Please contact the League Commissioner at admin@uschessleague.com to donate money via check.  Please make it clear which team you are donating to in the "payment for" line while sending your donation.



Click here to go back to the US Chess League homepage