"BLUNDERS"- Nov.24 - TOPIC # 3: Naka or Rosenthal on USCL Board 1??

Pardon Our Blunders Show Review: Nov. 24, 2010

   Welcome to the weekly review of Pardon Our Blunders. Every week our Hosts cover varied topics—all chess-related. As regular viewers know, their coverage normally leads to some very interesting and entertaining banter.   Here’s a rundown of this week’s Topic #3:

Nakamura or Rosenthal on Board 1 of the U.S.C.L.?

   Danny jumped right on this saying that he would rather have no one else on his U.S.C.L. team Board 1 than Hikaru Nakamura. Not GM Julio Becerra or IM Sam Shankland. The U.S.C.L. caps rating at 2590; Naka is at 2724, according to FIDE. He is the top ranked U.S. player and ranked #16 in the world (all players) but #15 among active players. He has this “rock star” image and persona and is a huge accent for any U.S.C.L. team, despite showing up late or only playing well 70-80% of the time.

   Rosenthal is still young and not as strong, although when faced with higher ranked opponents, he seems to love the underdog role and has played very well against players much higher rated than him, as was shown in his 2010 U.S.C.L. season. 

   What do you think about having Naka and no one else but Naka anchor your team if the other choices perhaps were Becerra or Shankland? Let us know what you think about this very interesting discussion.