PRO Chess League Eastern Division Round of 16 Predictions

In this article, I’m going to analyze some of the matches in the first playoffs week (the eleventh week in total). Many strong players, such as Vidit Santosh Gujrathi and Baskaran Adhiban, will be representing their teams in this knockout tournament.

Tbilisi Gentlemen (1 seed) vs. Moscow Wizards (4)

Tbilisi is the obvious pick, as they have dominated this season, and they are my pick to win it all, so they will certainly be favored against the 4th seed of their own division. However, Moscow only lost 7.5-8.5 against the Gentleman in the regular season, not even using their best lineup. Their best performers have been Sergei Grigoriants (who is the leader U2600) and Vlad Dobrov (who is right behind Shant Sargysan for U2500). Dobrov is playing for Moscow in the match, so he is their key to success. Giga Quparadze (who isn behind Dobrov and Sargysan U2500) and Nika Volkov (the leader U2400). Quparadze, who scored 3/4 for the Gentlemen previously isn’t playing, so it will all be up to Volkov to score well on Board 4. Assuming Savchenko and Dobrov get 4.5/8 like they did previously, they need Vladimir Seliverstov and Oleg Vastrukhin to get 4/8. The two have been solid all season, performing around their rating, so they will have to have a very good week and chip some points off Volkov.

Prediction: Tbilisi Gentlemen 8.5-7.5 Moscow Wizards

Armenia Eagles (2) vs. Mumbai Movers (3)

Armenia has been doing almost as well as Tbilisi. Mumbai will have to do better than the 7 points they scored against the reigning champions previously if they are going to win this exciting matchup. They will need good scores from their stars, Vidit and Adhiban, and a decent score from Board 3 Diptayan Ghosh to clinch a spot in the quarterfinals. However, Armenia’s Board 3 Shant Sargysan has been on fire. Board 4 Anna Sargysan has also been very strong this season.

Prediction: Armenia Eagles 9.5-6.5 Mumbai Movers