2009 Week 2 Predictions by FM Robby Adamson

Let’s take a quick look at Week 2. If there is some objective or mathematical way to judge my predictions, someone please comment on the article. I am not sure how to judge picking a team to win 3-1 and if they win 2.5-1.5, how is this measured.

After a week of a several surprises (Tennessee and New Jersey), let’s see what week 2 has on the menu.

New Jersey Knockouts vs. Philadelphia Inventors

Despite being a big underdog last week, New Jersey came through in fine style as Dean Ippolito defeated GM Pascal Charbonneau, a performance worthy of winning Game of the Week. Can NJ do it again as the underdog? Philly needs this win much more than NJ does because of Tennessee’s upset of the Inventors last week. The match will probably come down to board 4, though this match is very close. I take Philly in a close one 2.5-1.5.

Queens Pioneers vs. Baltimore Kingfishers

The second match of the night features Baltimore coming off a win vs. an obviously disappointed Queen’s team who should have tied the last match, save the now famous Qa8+ mouse-slip by Stripunsky. Baltimore is favored by a little. Because boards 1 and 2 are even matches, I would again say boards 3 and 4 decide it. If Andrei comes through, Queens might pull this match out, if not, it makes it that much more difficult. Even though Baltimore is the slight favorite, I think the match will be a tie.

Seattle Sluggers vs. New York Knights

The Catch of the Day – A juicy match-up featuring one of the higher rated match-ups on board 1 that the USCL will see with GM Hikaru Nakamura facing off with GM Giorgi Kacheisvili. With the double GM lineup (Naka and Gregory Serper), you have to favor Seattle to win this match. Seattle was rather fortunate last week, and we will see how they handle the role of the favorite. NY really needs this match since they lost last week. It will also be interesting to see the debut of junior players, Howard Chen for Seattle and NY’s Sturt Raven, and how they react to the pressure of playing in USCL – its not as easy as people think!

How to pick this match? I think it comes down to the following – If this match was judged based on Hikaru’s fantasy football drafting ability, or lack thereof, (he is in my fantasy football league, so I witnessed his questionable drafting first hand – Dallas Clark in the 5^th rd?), Seattle would be in big trouble.  However, this is chess and chess is decided on the board. Seattle wins a close one. 2.5-1.5.

Boston Blitz vs. Carolina Cobras

Boston is a big favorite here on almost every board. If Carolina is to have a chance they need to take advantage of the one rating advantage they do have, board 4 – Craig Jones has white and a minor rating edge. Overall Boston is just a better team and therefore wins the match 3-1.

Chicago Blaze vs. Miami Sharks

Chicago is a minor underdog rating-wise, but is it significant? I say no sir. This is a close match that can go either way, and therefore I predict a tie, 2-2.

San Francisco Mechanics vs. Dallas Destiny

The defending champs, the Dallas Destiny, are coming off a rare loss and need to bounce back. San Francisco has a much higher rated line-up than last week. Board 2 features the debut of SF’s Jesse Kraai vs. Dallas’s IM Daniel Ludwig. SF appears a little stronger here, but I think the defending champs have enough to hold the balance. Anything could happen in any of the 4 games, which makes the match exciting. I predict a tie, 2-2.

Tennessee Tempo vs. Arizona Scorpions

The Scorpions came through very nicely last week. Let’s hope this continues in a battle of the unbeatens (is that a word?). Tennessee is lead by GM Jaan Ehlvest, who is making his 2009 debut against GM Alejandro Ramirez.  Maybe Ehlvest will leave the building before the match is over and go catch the fish we keep seeing in the pictures? Let’s hope so.  Scorpions win 2.5-1.5.

Last Week 4 correct, 3 incorrect.