Schmak-down!

Week 7 brought us a match against the always dangerous San Francisco Mechanics in what may be a preview of the first round of the Western Division playoffs. The 2.5-1.5 win brought the Blaze to a perfect 7-0 record.

The formidable Mechanics threw a very tough lineup in our path including (2) strong GMs, a world youth champion, and another top junior player. Like so many matches in the US Chess League, trying to guess the final match score is a futile endeavor as tightly contested games swing the score predictions one way or the other every few minutes.

The first game to end in this match was GM Mesgen Amanov’s game against GM and former IL resident Jesse Kraai, during which Kraai seemed to have a pull for a long part of the game before some not quite precise endgame play along with Mesgen’s resourceful play was enough to hold a draw. GM Shulman and GM Bhat waltzed into a drawn endgame setting the stage for our boards 3 and 4, where we had scored 11 of 12 possible points entering this week's match.

Board 4 was a match between the juniors, as Sam Schmakel again came up with a clutch victory to provide the winning margin of the match. Many notable onlookers had noticed the possibility for a Chicago GGGg lineup at the beginning of the season. What they did not know was the “g” had grown up to be a very dangerous NM.

This left the result to hinge on board 3, where this was a rematch from the 2008 season when IM Young dismantled young (now IM) Naroditsky. Of course, the 2011 version of Naroditsky is about 200 rating points stronger. This topsy turvy game had spectators on edge as Angelo was able to navigate the landmines of Naroditsky’s relentless pressure, and his own time trouble to draw and seal the match.

When asked about the opposing Mechanic squad, manager Daniel Parmet replied, “San Francisco has a tough team every year, and had the record for the most dominant season before New England broke that last year”. Parmet has done a fantastic job assembling this roster, and keeping the team prepared on a weekly basis leading the Blaze to clinch a playoff spot in week 7.

For a complete coverage of this week's Blaze match, as well as Trevor Magness' weekly puzzle for scholastic players based on this week's Blaze games, visit the Chicago Blaze Blog.