Chess league in United States
United States Chess League Sport Chess Founded 2005 Ceased 2016 Replaced by Professional Online Rapid Chess League President Greg Shahade No. of teams 20 Country United States Last Manhattan Applesauce(1 title) Most titles Dallas Destiny (2 titles) Official website http://uschessleague.com/
The United States Chess League (USCL) was the only nationwide chess league in the United States for eleven years. In 2016 the League announced it would be opened to cities from around the world, moved to the website chess.com, and renamed the Professional Rapid Online Chess League .[ 1]
At its peak, the USCL comprised twenty teams, whose members included some of the highest-rated chess players in the United States .[ 2] Wesley So , Alexander Onischuk , Alex Lenderman , Anton Kovalyov , Varuzhan Akobian , Daniel Naroditsky , Julio Becerra , Joel Benjamin , and many other grandmasters. The League was founded in 2005 by International Master Greg Shahade .[ 3]
The 2005 season began on August 30 and ended on November 23 with the Baltimore Kingfishers crushing the Miami Sharks to win the inaugural USCL title.[ 4]
The following teams were selected to play in the inaugural season.
Teams
Date Joined
San Francisco Mechanics
January 30[ 5]
New York Knights
February 3[ 6]
Philadelphia Masterminds
February 3[ 7]
Baltimore Kingfishers
March 24[ 8]
Dallas Destiny
March 30[ 9]
Miami Sharks
April 23[ 10]
Boston Blitz
April 25[ 11]
Carolina Cobras
April 30[ 12]
Eastern Division
W
L
Game Points
New York Knights
8
2
25.5
Baltimore Kingfishers
6.5
3.5
24
Boston Blitz
4
6
18
Philadelphia Inventors
3.5
6.5
16
Western Division
W
L
Game Points
San Francisco Mechanics
6
4
22
Miami Sharks
5.5
4.5
19.5
Dallas Destiny
3.5
6.5
18.5
Carolina Cobras
3
7
16.5
The top two teams from each division qualified for the playoffs.
Semifinals
USCL Championship
E1
New York Knights
1.5
E2
Baltimore Kingfishers
2.5
E2
Baltimore Kingfishers
3.5
W2
Miami Sharks
0.5
W1
San Francisco Mechanics
1.5
W2
Miami Sharks
2.5
Team 1
Player
Team
Board 1
Pascal Charbonneau Baltimore Kingfishers
Board 2
Lev Milman
Carolina Cobras
Board 3
Gregory Braylovsky
New York Knights
Board 4
Elvin Wilson
Philadelphia Inventors
Team 2
Player
Team
Board 1
Julio Becerra
Miami Sharks
Board 2
Tegshsuren Enkhba
Baltimore Kingfishers
Board 3
David Pruess
San Francisco Mechanics
Board 4
Katerina Rohonyan
Baltimore Kingfishers
The 2006 season began on August 30 and ended on November 29 as the San Francisco Mechanics defeated the New York Knights in the blitz tiebreaker to win the championship.[ 14]
On March 4, Shahade announced that two expansion teams, the Seattle Sluggers and the Tennessee Tempo, would join the league for the 2006 season making it then 10 teams.[ 15] [ 16]
Eastern Division
W
L
Game Points
Boston Blitz
8
2
25.5
New York Knights
4.5
5.5
18.5
Carolina Cobras
4
6
19.5
Philadelphia Inventors
4
6
19
Baltimore Kingfishers
4
6
18.5
Western Division
W
L
Game Points
San Francisco Mechanics
8.5
1.5
26
Seattle Sluggers
7
3
25.5
Dallas Destiny
4.5
5.5
21
Miami Sharks
4
6
18
Tennessee Tempo
1.5
8.5
8.5
The top three teams from each division qualified for the playoffs.
Wildcard
Semifinals
USCL Championship
E1
Boston Blitz
1
E2
New York Knights
2*
E2
New York Knights
3
E3
Carolina Cobras
2
E2
New York Knights
2
W1
San Francisco Mechanics
2**
W1
San Francisco Mechanics
3
W2
Seattle Sluggers
2*
W2
Seattle Sluggers
1
W3
Dallas Destiny
2
*Advanced due to draw odds **Won blitz tiebreaker
Team 1
Player
Team
Board 1
Julio Becerra
Miami Sharks
Board 2
Jacek Stopa
Dallas Destiny
Board 3
Oleg Zaikov
Carolina Cobras
Board 4
Sam Shankland San Francisco Mechanics
Team 2
Player
Team
Board 1
Josh Friedel
San Francisco Mechanics
Board 2
Vinay Bhat San Francisco Mechanics
Board 3
Richard Costigan
Philadelphia Inventors
Board 4
Craig Jones
Carolina Cobras
The 2007 season began on August 27 and ended on November 28 with the Dallas Destiny defeated the Boston Blitz in the blitz tiebreaker.[ 18]
Two further expansion teams, the New Jersey Knockouts and the Queens Pioneers, joined the USCL.[ 19] [ 20]
Eastern Division
W
L
Game Points
Boston Blitz
7
3
23.5
Philadelphia Masterminds
6
4
20.5
New York Knights
5
5
19.5
New Jersey Knockouts
4.5
5.5
19.5
Queens Pioneers
4.5
5.5
19
Baltimore Kingfishers
4
6
18.5
Western Division
W
L
Game Points
Dallas Destiny
7
3
23.5
San Francisco Mechanics
6
4
23.5
Miami Sharks
5
5
19
Seattle Sluggers
4.5
5.5
20.5
Carolina Cobras
4.5
5.5
19
Tennessee Tempo
2
8
14
The top three teams from each division qualified for the playoffs.
Wildcard
Semifinals
USCL Championship
E1
Boston Blitz
2.5
E2
Philadelphia Inventors
0.5
E3
New York Knights
1.5
E3
New York Knights
3.5
E1
Boston Blitz
2
W1
Dallas Destiny
2*
W1
Dallas Destiny
3.5
W2
San Francisco Mechanics
1.5
W3
Miami Sharks
0.5
W3
Miami Sharks
2.5
*Won blitz tiebreaker
1st Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Julio Becerra (MIA)
Board 2
Jorge Sammour-Hasbun (BOS)
Board 3
Jacek Stopa (DAL)
Board 4
Iryna Zenyuk (NY)
2nd Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Joel Benjamin (NJ)
Board 2
Davorin Kuljasevic (DAL)
Board 3
Denys Shmelov (BOS)
Board 4
Chris Williams (BOS)
3rd Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Larry Christiansen (BOS)
Board 2
Vinay Bhat (SF)
Board 3
Jay Bonin (NY)
Board 4
Bayaraa Zorigt (DAL)
The 2008 season began on August 25 and ended on December 6 with a rematch of last years USCL Championship game. The Dallas Destiny successfully defended their title as they took down the Boston Blitz in another blitz tiebreaker.[ 22]
At the end of 2007, the league announced two additional teams for the 2007 season which were the Chicago Blaze and the Arizona Scorpions.[ 23] [ 24]
Eastern Division
W
L
Game Points
Carolina Cobras
7
3
24
Queens Pioneers
7
3
23.5
Boston Blitz
6
4
23
New York Knights
5
5
18
New Jersey Knockouts
4.5
5.5
20
Philadelphia Masterminds
2
8
15
Baltimore Kingfishers
1.5
8.5
14
Western Division
W
L
Game Points
Miami Sharks
7
3
26.5
San Francisco Mechanics
6.5
3.5
23.5
Dallas Destiny
6.5
3.5
21
Seattle Sluggers
4.5
5.5
18
Arizona Scorpions
4.5
5.5
17.5
Chicago Blaze
4
6
19.5
Tennessee Tempo
4
6
16.5
The top four teams from each division qualified for the playoffs.
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
USCL Championship
E1
Carolina Cobras
3.5
E4
New York Knights
0.5
E1
Carolina Cobras
1.5
Eastern
E3
Boston Blitz
2.5
E2
Queens Pioneers
1.5
E3
Boston Blitz
2.5
E3
Boston Blitz
2
W3
Dallas Destiny
2*
W1
Miami Sharks
2.5
W4
Seattle Sluggers
1.5
W1
Miami Sharks
1
Western
W3
Dallas Destiny
3
W2
San Francisco Mechanics
1.5
W3
Dallas Destiny
2.5
*Won blitz tiebreaker
1st Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Julio Becerra (MIA)
Board 2
Davorin Kuljasevic (DAL)
Board 3
Alex Lenderman (QNS)
Board 4
Bayaraa Zorigt (DAL)
2nd Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Sergey Erenburg (BAL)
Board 2
Slava Mikhailuk (SEA)
Board 3
Marc Esserman (BOS)
Board 4
Eric Rodriguez (MIA)
3rd Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Jaan Ehlvest (TEN)
Board 2
Tom Bartell (PHI)
Board 3
Sam Shankland (SF)
Board 4
Ilya Krasik (BOS)
The 2009 season began on August 31 and ended on December 7 with the New York Knights defeating the Miami Sharks in a blitz tiebreaker for the fourth straight season.[ 26]
For the first time, the participating teams and divisions remained the same in the 2009 season with no expansion teams. One key rule change was the elimination of bonus rating points for female players, instead establishing a bonus roster spot for the team if at least one woman was on the roster.
This season would be the last season for the Tennessee Tempo as they were replaced by two expansion teams in the next season.
Eastern Division
W
L
Game Points
New Jersey Knockouts
8
2
26
Boston Blitz
7.5
2.5
23.5
New York Knights
5
5
22
Baltimore Kingfishers
4.5
5.5
18.5
Philadelphia Masterminds
4
6
17.5
Queens Pioneers
3.5
6.5
17
Carolina Cobras
2
8
13.5
Western Division
W
L
Game Points
Seattle Sluggers
7.5
2.5
23.5
San Francisco Mechanics
6.5
3.5
22.5
Arizona Scorpions
6
4
22.5
Miami Sharks
6
4
22
Chicago Blaze
4
6
18.5
Dallas Destiny
3.5
6.5
18.5
Tennessee Tempo
2
8
16
The top four teams from each division qualified for the playoffs.
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
USCL Championship
E1
New Jersey Knockouts
3
E4
Baltimore Kingfishers
1
E1
New Jersey Knockouts
1.5
Eastern
E3
New York Knights
2.5
E2
Boston Blitz
1.5
E3
New York Knights
2.5
E3
New York Knights
2*
W4
Miami Sharks
2
W1
Seattle Sluggers
0.5
W4
Miami Champions
3.5
W4
Miami Sharks
2.5
Western
W3
San Francisco Mechanics
1.5
W2
San Francisco Mechanics
3.5
W3
Arizona Scorpions
0.5
1st Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Hikaru Nakamura (SEA)
Board 2
Boris Gulko (NJ)
Board 3
Angelo Young (CHC)
Board 4
Eric Rodriguez (MIA)
2nd Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Julio Becerra (MIA)
Board 2
Dean Ippolito (NJ)
Board 3
Andrei Zaremba (QNS)
Board 4
Yaacov Norowitz (NY)
The 2010 season began on August 23 and ended on November 20 with the New England Nor'easters nearly capping off a perfect season as they crushed the Miami Sharks.[ 28]
This season featured the expansion team from New England which shattered many records such as becoming the first expansion team to have a winning record and make the playoffs since the Sluggers did back in 2006, the best regular season record in 2010, and having the best record in USCL history (9.5-0.5), drawing only with their local competitors, the Boston Blitz.
The rules were also changed to eliminate alternates, favoring instead another permanent roster spot, increasing the size to nine, or ten if at least one woman is on the team.
The league expanded from fourteen to sixteen teams this year, with the addition of three new teams which were the St. Louis Arch Bishops, the Los Angeles Vibe, and the New England Nor'easters and the folding of the Tennessee Tempo.[ 29]
Eastern Division
W
L
Game Points
New England Nor'easters
9.5
0.5
28
Boston Blitz
7
3
21.5
Baltimore Kingfishers
5.5
4.5
22
New York Knights
5
5
23.5
Philadelphia Masterminds
3.5
6.5
18
New Jersey Knockouts
3.5
6.5
16.5
Manhattan Applesause
3.5
6.5
15.5
Carolina Cobras
2
8
14
Western Division
W
L
Game Points
Arizona Scorpions
6.5
3.5
22.5
Chicago Blaze
6
4
20.5
Miami Sharks
5.5
4.5
21
Seattle Sluggers
5
5
22
St. Louis Arch Bishops
5
5
18.5
Los Angeles Vibe
4.5
5.5
18.5
San Francisco Mechanics
4
6
19
Dallas Destiny
4
6
19
The top four teams from each division qualified for the playoffs.
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
USCL Championship
E1
New England Nor'easters
2.5
E4
New York Knights
1.5
E1
New England Nor'easters
2*
Eastern
E2
Boston Blitz
2
E2
Boston Blitz
2.5
E3
Baltimore Kingfishers
1.5
E1
New England Nor'easters
3
W3
Miami Sharks
1
W1
Arizona Scorpions
2*
W4
Seattle Sluggers
2
W1
Arizona Scorpions
1
Western
W3
Miami Sharks
3
W2
Chicago Blaze
1
W3
Miami Sharks
3
*Advanced due to draw odds
1st Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Sergey Erenburg (BAL)
Board 2
Robert Hungaski (NE)
Board 3
Marcel Martinez (MIA)
Board 4
Alex Cherniack (NE)
2nd Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Julio Becerra (MIA)
Board 2
Pascal Charbonneau (NY)
Board 3
Michael Lee (SEA) (2432)
Board 4
Alex Guo (SEA)
3rd Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Hikaru Nakamura (STL)
Board 2
Marc Esserman (BOS)
Board 3
Ben Finegold (STL)
Board 4
Aleksandr Ostrovskiy (NY)
4th Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Varuzhan Akobian (SEA)
Board 2
Julio Sadorra (DAL)
Board 3
Daniel Rensch (ARZ)
Board 4
Nicholas Rosenthal (MIA)
The 2011 season began on August 29 and ended on November 20 with the New York Knights claiming their second title in three years title over the Chicago Blaze.[ 31]
As in the 2009 season, the participating teams and divisions remained the same as in the previous season. The only major rule change was the increasing of roster size from nine spots to ten along with the elimination of the bonus roster spot that had previously been given if there was at least one woman on the team.
Eastern Division
W
L
Game Points
Philadelphia Inventors
8
2
25.5
New York Knights
6
4
22
Boston Blitz
6
4
22
Manhattan Applesause
5.5
4.5
22.5
New England Nor'easters
5.5
4.5
20.5
Baltimore Kingfishers
3
7
16.5
Carolina Cobras
3
7
16.5
New Jersey Knockouts
2.5
7.5
16.5
Western Division
W
L
Game Points
Chicago Blaze
8.5
1.5
28
Los Angeles Vibe
6.5
3.5
22.5
San Francisco Mechanics
5.5
4.5
21
Dallas Destiny
5.5
4.5
20.5
Arizona Scorpions
4.5
5.5
19.5
Miami Sharks
4.5
5.5
19
Seattle Sluggers
3.5
6.5
16
St. Louis Arch Bishops
2
8
14.5
The top four teams from each division qualified for the playoffs.
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
USCL Championship
E1
Philadelphia Inventors
1
E4
Manhattan Applesause
3
E4
Manhattan Applesause
1.5
Eastern
E2
New York Knights
2.5
E2
New York Knights
2*
E3
Boston Blitz
2
E2
New York Knights
2.5
W1
Chicago Blaze
1.5
W1
Chicago Blaze
2*
W4
Dallas Desitny
2
W1
Chicago Blaze
2.5
Western
W2
Los Angeles Vibe
1.5
W2
Los Angeles Vibe
2.5
W3
San Francisco Mechanics
1.5
*Advanced due to draw odds
1st Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Jorge Sammour-Hasbun (BOS)
Board 2
Conrad Holt (DAL)
Board 3
Jay Bonin (PHI)
Board 4
William Fisher (PHI)
2nd Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Giorgi Kacheishvili (NY)
Board 2
Levon Altounian (ARZ)
Board 3
Tatev Abrahamyan (LA)
Board 4
Sam Schmakel (CHC)
3rd Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Ben Finegold (STL)
Board 2
Jesse Kraai (SF)
Board 3
Angelo Young (CHC)
Board 4
Roland Feng (SEA)
The 2012 season began on September 4 and ended on December 1 which featured the Philadelphia Inventors against the Seattle Sluggers; both making their first appearance in the title match. The Sluggers crushed the Inventors as they claimed their first title.
Despite making back-to-back playoff appearance and reaching the championship game the previous season, the Chicago Blaze did not play in 2012. Chicago's slot was filled by a new team, the Connecticut Dreadnoughts, featuring grandmaster Robert Hess as its top-rated player.[ 33]
Eastern Division
W
L
Game Points
Philadelphia Inventors
7.5
2.5
23.5
Manhattan Applesause
6.5
3.5
23
New York Knights
5.5
4.5
21
Baltimore Kingfishers
5.5
4.5
19
New Jersey Knockouts
5
5
19
Connecticut Dreadnoughts
4.5
5.5
19
Boston Blitz
4
6
20
New England Nor'easters]
3
7
17.5
Western Division
W
L
Game Points
Dallas Destiny
7
3
24
St. Louis Arch Bishops
6.5
3.5
24.5
Arizona Scorpions
5.5
4.5
22
Seattle Sluggers
5.5
4.5
19.5
San Francisco Mechanics
4
6
19
Los Angeles Vibe
3.5
6.5
16.5
Miami Sharks
3.5
6.5
15
Carolina Cobras
3
7
17.5
The top four teams from each division qualified for the playoffs.
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
USCL Championship
E1
Philadelphia Inventors
3.5
E4
Baltimore Kingfishers
0.5
E1
Philadelphia Inventors
3
Eastern
E2
Manhattan Applesause
1
E2
Manhattan Applesause
2.5
E3
New York Knights
1.5
E1
Philadelphia Inventors
1
W4
Seattle Sluggers
3
W1
Dallas Destiny
1.5
W4
Seattle Sluggers
2.5
W4
Seattle Sluggers
2.5
Western
W3
Arizona Scorpions
1.5
W2
St. Louis Arch Bishops
1.5
W3
Arizona Scorpions
2.5
*Advanced due to draw odds
1st Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Sergey Erenburg (PHI)
Board 2
Priyadharshan Kannappan (STL)
Board 3
Dov Gorman (PHI)
Board 4
Shaun Smith (MAN)
2nd Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Varuzhan Akobian (SEA)
Board 2
Georgi Orlov (SEA)
Board 3
Joshua Sinanan (SEA)
Board 4
Alex King (MIA)
3rd Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Julio Sadorra (DAL)
Board 2
Levon Altounian (ARZ)
Board 3
Levan Bregadze (STL)
Board 4
Alexander Katz (NY)
The 2013 season began on August 27 and ended on November 20 with the Miami Sharks getting their first title over the New York Knights in a rematch from 2009 championship game.
This season was the first time chess.com hosted the USCL as the Internet Chess Club parted ways with the USCL.[ 35]
Due to the fact ten out of sixteen teams use eastern time and two eastern time teams are situated in the western division, the USCL decided to have four divisions instead of two to deal with the issue.[ 36]
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
W
L
Game Points
Manhattan Applesause
6.5
3.5
25
New York Knights
5.5
4.5
21
New Jersey Knockouts
4
6
18.5
Philadelphia Inventors
3
7
15.5
Northeast Division
W
L
Game Points
New England Nor'easters
7
3
24
Connecticut Dreadnoughts
6.5
3.5
23.5
Boston Blitz
4.5
5.5
19
Baltimore Kingfishers
3.5
6.5
16
Western Conference
Southern Division
W
L
Game Points
Miami Sharks
7.5
2.5
25
Dallas Destiny
7
3
22.5
St. Louis Arch Bishops
6
4
20.5
Carolina Cobras
1
9
13
Pacific Division
W
L
Game Points
San Francisco Mechanics
6.5
3.5
24.5
Los Angeles Vibe
4.5
5.5
19.5
Arizona Scorpions
4
6
16.5
Seattle Sluggers
3
7
16
The top two teams from each division qualified for the playoffs.
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
USCL Championship
A1
Manhattan Applesauce
1.5
A2
New York Knights
2.5
A2
New York Knights
2.5
N1
New England Nor'easters
1.5
N1
New England Nor'easters
2*
N2
Connecticut Dreadnoughts
2
A2
New York Knights
0.5
S1
Miami Sharks
3.5
S1
Miami Sharks
2.5
S2
Dallas Destiny
1.5
S1
Miami Sharks
2.5
P1
San Francisco Mechanics
1.5
P1
San Francisco Mechanics
3
W2
Los Angeles Vibe
1
*Advanced due to draw odds
1st Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Zviad Izoria (MAN)
Board 2
Jeffery Xiong (DAL)
Board 3
Akshat Chandra (NY)
Board 4
Ryan Goldenberg (MAN)
2nd Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Julio Becerra (MIA)
Board 2
Renier Gonzalez (MIA)
Board 3
Eric Rodriguez (MIA)
Board 4
Siddharth Banik (SF)
3rd Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Vinay Bhat (SF)
Board 2
Daniel Naroditsky (SF)
Board 3
Vadim Martirosov (BOS)
Board 4
Lawyer Times (NE)
The 2014 season began on August 26 and ended on December 3 with the St. Louis Arch Bishops defeating the Dallas Destiny in a blitz tiebreaker.
With the addition of two new teams, the Rio Grande Ospreys and the Atlanta Kings, the league divided its eighteen teams into three divisions: Eastern, Southern, and Western.[ 38] [ 39]
Eastern Division
W
L
Game Points
Manhattan Applesause
7.5
2.5
22.5
New York Knights
7
3
22
New Jersey Knockouts
6.5
3.5
21.5
Philadelphia Inventors
5
5
19.5
Boston Blitz
3
7
17
New England Nor'easters
0.5
9.5
13.5
Southern Division
W
L
Game Points
St. Louis Arch Bishops
7.5
2.5
25
Miami Sharks
5
5
18.5
Connecticut Dreadnoughts
4.5
5.5
20.5
Baltimore Kingfishers
4.5
5.5
19.5
Atlanta Kings
4
6
20
Carolina Cobras
3.5
6.5
17
Western Division
W
L
Game Points
Dallas Destiny
8
2
26.5
Rio Grande Ospreys
6.5
3.5
20.5
San Francisco Mechanics
6
4
22.5
Seattle Sluggers
4.5
5.5
22
Arizona Scorpions
4
6
17.5
Los Angeles Vibe
2.5
7.5
14.5
Ten total teams qualified for the playoffs. Division winners were seeded 1-3, second place teams were 4-6, third place teams were 7-9, while the wildcard team whose division scored the highest in interleague play qualified as the tenth seed.
1
Dallas Desinty
3
8
San Francisco Mechanics
2.5
8
San Francisco Mechanics
1
9
Connecticut Dreadnoughts
1.5
1
Dallas Destiny
2.5
4
New York Knights
1.5
4
New York Knights
2.5
5
Rio Grande Ospreys
1.5
1
Dallas Destiny
2
2
St. Louis Arch Bishops
2*
3
Manhattan Applesause
1
7
New Jersey Knockouts
2.5
6
Miami Sharks
3
10
Seattle Sluggers
1.5
2
St. Louis Arch Bishops
2*
6
Miami Sharks
2
2
St. Louis Arch Bishops
2.5
7
New Jersey Knockouts
1.5
*Won blitz tiebreaker
1st Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Wesley So (STL)
Board 2
Le Quang Liem (STL)
Board 3
Francisco Guadalupe II (DAL)
Board 4
David Golub (SEA)
2nd Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Gata Kamsky (NY)
Board 2
Joel Benjamin (NJ)
Board 3
Richard Francisco (ATL)
Board 4
Karthik Ramachandran (DAL)
3rd Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Georgi Orlov (SEA)
Board 2
Andrey Stukopin (RIO)
Board 3
Cameron Wheeler (SF)
Board 4
Levy Rozman (MAN)
The 2015 season began on August 25 and ended on December 1 with the Manhattan Applesauce defeating the St. Louis Arch Bishops to claim their first title.
With the addition of four new teams, the Las Vegas Desert Rats, Lubbock Tornadoes, Minnesota Blizzard, and San Diego Surfers, along with the departure of the Baltimore Kingfishers and the Los Angeles Vibe, the total number of teams reached 20, causing a reversion back to the two division system.
Eastern Division
W
L
Game Points
New England Nor'easters
7.5
2.5
24
New York Knights
7.5
2.5
24
New Jersey Knockouts
7
3
25
Manhattan Applesause
6.5
3.5
22.5
Connecticut Dreadnoughts
5.5
4.5
21
Carolina Cobras
4
6
17
Boston Blitz
3.5
6.5
18
Atlanta Kings
3.5
6.5
15.5
Philadelphia Inventors
3
7
20
Miami Sharks
2
8
13
Western Division
W
L
Game Points
Dallas Destiny
6.5
3.5
24
St.Louis Arch Bishops
6.5
3.5
23
Las Vegas Desert Rats
6
4
21.5
San Francisco Mechanics
6
4
19.5
Seattle Sluggers
5.5
4.5
22
Arizona Scorpions
4.5
5.5
19.5
Minnesota Blizzard
4.5
5.5
17
Lubbock Tornadoes
4
6
19.5
Rio Grande Ospreys
4
6
18
San Diego Surfers
2.5
7.5
16
The top six teams from each division qualified for the playoffs.[ 41]
Wildcard
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
E1
New England Nor'easters
1.5
E4
New Jersey Knockouts
2*
E4
Manhattan Applesauce
2.5
E5
Connecticut Dreadnoughts
2
E4
Manhattan Applesauce
3
E2
New York Knights
1
E2
New York Knights
2*
E3
New Jersey Knockouts
2*
E3
New Jersey Knockouts
2
E6
Carolina Cobras
2
*Advanced due to draw odds
Wildcard
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
W1
Dallas Destiny
2.5
W4
San Francisco Mechanics
3
W4
San Francisco Mechanics
1.5
W5
Seattle Sluggers
1
W1
Dallas Destiny
1.5
W2
St. Louis Arch Bishops
2.5
W2
St. Louis Arch Bishops
3
W3
Las Vegas Desert Rats
4
W3
Las Vegas Desert Rats
1
W6
Arizona Scorpions
0
USCL Championship
E4
Manhattan Applesauce
2.5
E2
St. Louis Arch Bishops
1.5
1st Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Zviad Izoria (MAN)
Board 2
Varuzhan Akobian (STL)
Board 3
Elliott Liu (LV)
Board 4
Nicholas Rosenthal (STL)
2nd Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Jeffery Xiong (DAL)
Board 2
Joel Benjamin (NJ)
Board 3
Levy Rozman (MAN)
Board 4
Bryce Tiglon (SEA)
3rd Team All Stars
Player (Team)
Board 1
Andrey Stukopin (RIO)
Board 2
Andrey Gorovets (LUB)
Board 3
Atulya Vaidya (DAL)
Board 4
Jason Shi (CON)
Team
Titles Won
Last Won
Dallas Destiny
2
2008
New York Knight
2
2011
Baltimore Kingfishers
1
2005
Manhattan Applesauce
1
2015
Miami Sharks
1
2013
New England Nor'easters
1
2010
San Francisco Mechanics
1
2006
Seattle Sluggers
1
2012
St. Louis Arch Bishops
1
2014
Teams consist of rosters of ten players, and each week the manager selects a lineup of four, depending on rating , form, and availability. The average rating for each match is capped at less than 2401, with certain exceptions for highly rated players.
The season starts the last week of August or first week of September and ends in late November or early December. Each team plays one match per week, and matches are almost always scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday nights. All matches are played online at the Internet Chess Club . Team members gather at a common public location where a league-approved tournament director is present.
If either team in a given match scores two and a half points or more from the four games, that team wins the match. If the score is split at two points apiece, the match is drawn. At the end of the regular season, the four teams in each division with the highest match point totals qualify for the playoffs, which are conducted in a knockout format. In the Championship match, a drawn match proceeds to a series of blitz games to determine the ultimate winner.[ 43]
^ Doggers, Peter (August 25, 2016). "U.S. Chess League Becomes PRO Chess League" . Retrieved February 14, 2017 . ^ "The United States Chess Federation" . www.uschess.org .^ McClain, Dylan Loeb (September 16, 2007). "Boston Takes an Early Lead in United States Chess League" – via NYTimes.com. ^ "Baltimore is USCL Champ" .^ "Feature 1" . www.uschessleague.com . Retrieved 2018-07-21 .^ "Feature 4" . www.uschessleague.com . Retrieved 2018-07-21 .^ "Feature5" . www.uschessleague.com . Retrieved 2018-07-21 .^ "Feature 7" . www.uschessleague.com . Retrieved 2018-07-21 .^ "Feature 8" . www.uschessleague.com . Retrieved 2018-07-21 .^ "Feature 12" . www.uschessleague.com . Retrieved 2018-07-21 .^ "Feature 13" . www.uschessleague.com . Retrieved 2018-07-21 .^ "Feature 14" . www.uschessleague.com . Retrieved 2018-07-21 .^ "USCL All Star Teams" .^ Shahade, Jennifer. "The United States Chess Federation - Dallas Wins the U.S. Chess League!" . www.uschess.org . Retrieved 2018-07-22 . ^ "Seattle and Tennessee" .^ "Carolina Moves to the East!" .^ "2006 All Star Teams" .^ "USCL Final Recap: Dallas vs Boston" . www.uschessleague.com . Retrieved 2018-07-22 .^ "New Jersey and Queens join the USCL" . www.uschessleague.com . Retrieved 2018-07-21 .^ "Philadelphia Inventors" . uschessleague.com . Retrieved 2023-05-18 .^ "US Chess League News" . usclnews.blogspot.com . Retrieved 2018-07-22 .^ McClain, Dylan Loeb (14 December 2008). "College Star Helps Steer Dallas to Team's Second League Title" . The New York Times . ^ Shahade, Greg (December 26, 2007). "US Chess League News: Arizona Scorpions and Chicago Blaze join the USCL" . ^ Shahade, Greg (2007-12-26). "US Chess League News: Arizona Scorpions and Chicago Blaze join the USCL" . US Chess League News . Retrieved 2018-07-22 . ^ "US Chess League News" . usclnews.blogspot.com . Retrieved 2018-07-22 .^ "The United States Chess Federation - Champions by a Heartbeat: Krush on the Knights" . www.uschess.org .^ "US Chess League News" . usclnews.blogspot.com . Retrieved 2018-07-22 .^ "US Chess League" . uschessleague.com . Retrieved 2018-07-22 .^ Sharma, Arun (2010-05-25). "US Chess League News: St. Louis and New England join the USCL" . US Chess League News . Retrieved 2018-07-22 . ^ "US Chess League News" . usclnews.blogspot.com . Retrieved 2018-07-22 .^ "sfarmer29 - 2011 USCL Championship Finals! [36:46]" . www.chessvideos.tv . Retrieved 2018-07-22 .^ "US Chess League News" . usclnews.blogspot.com . Retrieved 2018-07-22 .^ "Connecticut Dreadnoughts join the USCL | US Chess League" . uschessleague.com . Retrieved 2018-07-22 .^ "US Chess League News" . usclnews.blogspot.com . Retrieved 2018-07-22 .^ (MikeKlein), Mike Klein. "Chess.com to Host 2013 US Chess League" . Chess.com . Retrieved 2018-07-23 . ^ "USCL sees divisional reconfiguration for 2013 | US Chess League" . uschessleague.com . Retrieved 2018-07-23 .^ "US Chess League News" . usclnews.blogspot.com . Retrieved 2018-07-22 .^ "Atlanta Kings and Rio Grande Ospreys join the USCL | US Chess League" . uschessleague.com . Retrieved 2018-07-23 .^ "New Divisional/Playoff Configuration for 2014 Season | US Chess League" . uschessleague.com . Retrieved 2018-07-23 .^ "2014 Board One All Stars Revealed | US Chess League" . uschessleague.com . Retrieved 2018-07-26 .^ "Divisional Configuration and Playoff Format for 2015 Season" . Archived from the original on 2018-07-24.^ "2015 Board Four All Stars Declared! | US Chess League" . uschessleague.com . Retrieved 2018-07-26 .^ "US Chess League" . uschessleague.com . 
