PRO Chess League week 3 Predictions
Undeterred by the fact that I am in last place amongst the predicting crowd (week 1 did not go so well...) I carry on with my bold predictions!
The PRO Chess League has been a bevy of excitement. I've always thought this was the way to popularize chess - lots of games at a rapid time control, with commentary. It's nice to see it finally happening.
Eastern Division:
Delhi 11 - Amaravati 5
Delhi is too strong across the board... which is a phrase that works in two ways, if you think about it.
Shymkent 5.5 - Mumbai 10.5
Mumbai proved their mettle last week and will do it again in week 3.
Odisha 7 - Ljubljana 9
A recurring theme - I will be picking the Direwolves every week.
Gorky 7.5 - Riga 8.5
Match of the week. Riga by a hair.
Johannesburg 6 - Belgrade 10
The lower boards decide this one.
Budapest 9 - Norway 7
A very tight match. I'll take the slight underdogs by a hair.
Central Division:
Appledoorn 6.5 - Hamburg 9.5
Swashbucklers all over the Apes this week.
Marseille 9 - Amzterdam 7
No MVL, No problem. The Migraines bounce back with a win.
Abuja 5.5 - Reykjavik 10.5
Never bet against a Puffin. Never.
Dublin 9 - Canes 7
Ruslan Ponomariov, a superstar free agent, carries the day for the Irish.
Lagos 1 - London Towers 15
Lagos is gonna need a bigger boat. I offer my free agent services, once again.
London Lions 6.5 - Stockholm Snowballs 9.5
Stockholm too strong this week. Staying with the Swedes.
Atlantic:
Buenos Aires 7.5 - Montreal 8.5
Going with the Chessbrahs and their ace, Li Chao, over my favorite Kraken squad this week. Sorry, but don't cry for me, Argentina.
Miami 9 - Patagonia 7
Miami too strong up top.
Columbus 4 - Toronto 12
Columbus too weak up top.
New Jersey 10 - Carolina 6
...as is Carolina.
Philadelphia 9 - New York 7
Match of the week in the Atlantic is either this one or Krakens - Chessbrahs. Philly gets the edge here.
Atlanta Kings 7 - Montclair 9
The Sopranos made me an offer I couldn't refuse.
Pacific:
Las Vegas 10 - Pittsburgh 6
The Desert Rats are deep and strong.
Saint Louis 11 - Minnesota 5
MN doesn't have its strongest lineup, which will hurt this week.
Portland 6 - San Diego 10
Outgunned, Portland is. Hipsters, they need.
Webster 9 - San Francisco 7
Webster too strong on the top 3.
Seattle 7. 5- Dallas 8.5
Dallas has a very solid squad this week - which they will need.
San Jose 9 - Rio Grande 7
Very concerned about San Jose's board 4, but for now, I think they'll be alright.
Good luck to all the teams!
