Philadelphia Inventors eliminated from the Playoffs

Well, it is not much of a shock that they wouldnt make the playoffs, but it is too bad that they are now actually mathematically eliminated. They lost 2.5-1.5 to Baltimore. They still have 2 more matches, though, and can maybe try and build up something going into next year.

Taking a look at the standings, one very interest stat just jumps out of the page at me. The Philadelphia Inventors have a 41% winning percentage games wise, but are dead last in match standings. Yep, there were a lot of close but losing matches over the course of this season. The Inventors game wise are tied with Manhattan, which is currently in 5th place with 3.5-4.5 and fighting for a playoff spot. That is just the way match chess goes, the team has to click at the right times.

Looking forward, though, this is pretty promising. Depending on roster moves, I dont think anyone can count out the Inventors from the get go next year. They are much closer to a playoff spot then their match record indicates, and that is nice silver lining.

I am not sure if they actually have team MVPs in the US Chess League, but my nominee would be Tom Bartell. He has an 4 out of 7 (2 wins, 4 draws, 1 loss), was undefeated up until this past week, and has fairly consistently been playing higher rated players. Indeed, his only loss of the year was against GM Sergey Erenburg, who is rated 200 points higher than him. His memorable win over GM Boris Gulko was a great way to start the season for the Inventors. It has been a bit of an unfortunate year for the Inventors, but Bartell has done a great job holding his own on the top boards, often against higher rated opponents. Unless I am missing something, the only game Bartell had against a lower rated opponent was his draw against Chicago's IM Angelo Young. That makes his 4 out of 7 pretty impressive, in my opinion. Nice work, Tom Bartell!

There are still two more matches, though, so maybe another Inventor will make a case for himself.

For Week 9, the Philadelphia Inventors will play the Manhattan Applesauce. I like the name by the way. Good luck to the Inventors!

Fight Tonight!!! Baltimore vs. Philadelphia

Well, my blogging has gone way down! Truth be told, I am a bit busier now then I expected to be. Also, to be frank, I enjoy doing Blitz commentary videos more. They are easier to do. Writing can be kind of a pain. Rambling is always a joy!

IM Jay Bonin has joined the Philadelphia Inventors mid season. He has replaced the Piano Man, Matthew Bengston. Please correct me if I am wrong, but I do not believe we had the privilege of seeing Mr. Bengston play this year. That is too bad, and it is too bad to lose him from the team.

As far as Jay Bonin goes, he is I believe a staple around the Marshall Chess Club in New York City. He is a very good IM. I am not sure if he has moved to Philadelphia, welcome if he has. He has played for the New York Knights since 2005, so while he is new to the Philadelphia Inventors he is not new to the US Chess League.

Well, here is a link that I think explains what a great addition Jay Bonin is to the team. This season is kind of over for the Philadelphia Inventors, but if Jay Bonin sticks around, the Inventors could have a very good thing going next year. A line up of Panchanathan, Smith, Bartell, and Bonin looks extremely promising to me. Panchanathan can try and get as many draws as possible against the top GMs from other teams, Smith can hold his own on board 2, and Bartell and Bonin would be extremely strong for boards 3 and 4. I am not sure if this line up is actually legal, because I dont know exactly what the average rating has to be. Anyway, I should probably get back to the present a bit.

Welcome Jay Bonin and Good Luck!

The Inventors have a good chance of beating Baltimore this go around. The tied the last time they met. Basically, and somewhat typically this year, the Inventors have a bit of a disadvantage on the top board and a pretty decent advantage on the bottom boards. Well, at least rating wise. One thing that might be an issue is that Baltimore is still very much in the race for a playoff spot. Well, they are actually currently in 4th, which would give them the last playoff spot. They might have a little extra oomph, today, as the Inventors are playing for pride. I am going to go ahead and predict a 3 to 1 win for the Inventors.

Actually, I just did some calculations and the Inventors are not mathematically eliminated yet. If they can go 3-0 the next three matches, they will finish with a score of 4.5-5.5 So long as Baltimore goes 1-2 the next three matches, and neither New Jersey, Manhatten or Carolina jump up too much, the Inventors would tie for 4th place with Baltimore.

So, as hope springs eternal, maybe this is the match that starts off the Inventors on a crazy season ending playoff getting tear. Good luck to them!