Week 2 was a tough one to predict which was borne out by my terrible predictions. New Jersey, Boston, and Miami move to 2-0 records though I don’t think all three will be 3-0 after this week. Lets look at the matches!
Carolina Cobras vs New Jersey Knockouts
Poor Carolina – seems like they are getting tough pairings. This week they face a 2473 lineup, and Boris Gulko on 2nd board. Isn’t this overkill? I know GM Joel pleaded to not pick them, but I can not help it. New Jersey wins 3-1.
Queens Pioneers vs. New York Knights
Interesting match-up with Stripunsky vs. Kacheisvili. Even though Stripunsky is white, Giorgi is really solid, almost as solid as Levon the Stable. I think this game is a toss-up. GM Charbonneau is a little better than his roommate, IM Schenider, but this is also a toss-up. Assuming each team nets a point on these first 2 boards, it comes down to Andrei Zaremba, getting 3 whites to start the year (can’t the schedule be adjusted to avoid such situations? I mean, I think AZ has 3 straight whites and 3 straight blacks!) who faces NM Matt Herman while the Knights counter on board 4 with Mr. Stonewall Norowitz vs. Elizabeth Vicary. I think the match is going to be close but I think the scales tip slightly in NY’s favor. One of these times I pick NY, they are going to come through. This time is it! Knights win 2.5-1.5.
Baltimore Kingfishers vs. Philadelphia Inventors
Philly has dropped their first 2 matches, and I just don’t see them winning this match either, with Baltimore having advantages on boards 1 and 4. However, I also don’t see them losing the match either. If Kritz beats Kudrin, Philly will have a hard time winning; if the reverse happens, Philly has a great chance to win. Lenderman can make up for this on board 2. All in all, I predict a tie.
Dallas Destiny vs. Boston Blitz
Boston chose to put up 2 2600′s and 2 low masters. Dallas, in a 0-2 hole, brought out the big guns for this match. This will be an interesting contrast to the more balanced Dallas lineup. Jacek Stopa makes his 2009 debut vs. LarryC. I predict a tie, though it would not surprise me if Dallas pulls this one out, given their balanced approach. Also making their USCL debut is FM Darwin Yang – a stud in the making, and someone Dallas will really need if they want to stay in the match.
Tennessee Tempo vs. Chicago Blaze
Ehlvest is back which is never good news for the other team, and with the white pieces, is a huge favorite over IM Felecan, someone known for not being afraid to mix it up. The match with IM Angelo Young and FM Todd Andrews will be some tactical mess, while the other 2 matches are toss-ups. All in all, Tennessee is a favorite and they should come through in a very tight match. TN wins 2.5-1.5.
Miami Sharks vs. San Francisco Mechanics
With the depth that SF has, it will be hard for me to ever predict that they will lose a match. You know it will happen at some point, but I don’t think Miami is strong enough. SF wins 2.5-1.5.
Arizona Scorpions vs. Seattle Sluggers
AZ wins 2.5-1.5 (do you really expect me to pick against my team?). Go Scorpions!
Last Week: 1-6 record
2009 Record: 5-9 record
Bahhh humbug can’t anyone think us people in chicago are going to win….TN 1 – 3 Chicago thats how I see it Ehlvest will win and the rest of the games go to chicago !
Jon Burgess
[...] It seems to be a tough match, but I will leave the predictions to the titled [...]