2018 PRO Chess League season

Last updated

The 2018 PRO Chess League Season was the second season of the PRO Chess League. It began on January 17 and ended on April 8 with the Armenia Eagles defeating the Chengdu Pandas to claim their first title. [1] This season introduced new qualifications to join the league and an all-star game.

Contents

Qualification

In order to combat the large league, Shahade decided to cut the league from 48 teams to 32 teams as he believed the inaugural season was "a bit too large and chaotic".In order to determine which teams would return, he used the following: [2] [3] [4]

Qualification tournament

The qualification tournament took place on November 3 with two qualifiers. The event format was a 13 round individual swiss (time control 3+2), with a team's score decided by summing the scores of their four team members. The top three teams from each qualifier automatically qualified, and the fourth to sixth placed teams were placed into a fan vote to decide the final qualifier. [5]

First Qualifier (top 6)
PosTeam
1
Flag of Armenia.svg Armenia Eagles
2
Flag of Estonia.svg Estonia Horses
3
Flag of India.svg Mumbai Movers
4
Flag of Norway.svg Oslo Trolls
5
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Apeldoorn Apes
6
Flag of Israel.svg Rehovot Masters
Second Qualifier (top 6)
PosTeam
1
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Chengdu Pandas
2
Flag of the United States.svg Seattle Sluggers
3
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia Kangaroos
4
Flag of the United States.svg New York Knights
5
Flag of the United States.svg Minnesota Blizzard
6
Flag of the United States.svg San Francisco Mechanics

Super Saturday and Super Sunday

For 2018, the PCL introduced a new match format which allowed teams to play outside of their division. In these matches, each team played one single four-game match against eight other teams. The standings were decided on game points, with the top 6 teams being awarded a match win and teams finishing 7th-10th being awarded a match draw. In addition, the winning team was awarded a $500 bonus. [6] [7]

2/24 Early Super Saturday
DivTeamPointsResult
1A Flag of the United States.svg St. Louis Arch Bishops24Win
2P Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Chengdu Pandas23Win
3A Flag of the United States.svg Montclair Sopranos21.5Win
4A Flag of the United States.svg Pittsburgh Pawngrabbers19.5Win
5P Flag of the United States.svg Dallas Destiny18.5Win
6P Flag of the United States.svg Seattle Sluggers18Win
7A Flag of Argentina.svg Buenos Aires Krakens17Draw
8E Flag of Armenia.svg Armenia Eagles16Draw
9E Flag of India.svg Delhi Dynamite16Draw
10C Flag of Slovenia.svg Ljubljana Turtles14Draw
11C Flag of Iceland.svg Reykjavik Puffins13.5Loss
12P Flag of the United States.svg Rio Grande Ospreys13.5Loss
13E Flag of Russia.svg Volga Stormbringers13Loss
14C Flag of France.svg Cannes Blockbusters12.5Loss
15E Flag of India.svg Mumbai Movers11Loss
16C Flag of France.svg Marseille Migraines5Loss
2/24 Late Super Saturday
DivTeamPointsResult
1E Flag of Norway.svg Norway Gnomes21.5Win
2P Flag of the United States.svg San Jose Hackers20.5Win
3P Flag of the United States.svg San Diego Surfers19.5Win
4A Flag of the United States.svg Webster Windmills19.5Win
5P Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia Kangaroos19Win
6E Flag of Estonia.svg Estonia Horses17.5Win
7A Flag of the United States.svg Minnesota Blizzard17.5Draw
8A Flag of the United States.svg Miami Champions17Draw
9A Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Montreal Chessbrahs16Draw
10E Flag of Latvia.svg Riga Magicians15Draw
11C Flag of the Netherlands.svg Amsterdam Mosquitoes14Loss
12C Flag of England.svg London Towers13Loss
13E Flag of Norway.svg Oslo Trolls13Loss
14C Flag of England.svg London Lions12Loss
15C Flag of Sweden.svg Stockholm Snowballs11.5Loss
16P Flag of the United States.svg Las Vegas Desert Rats9Loss
2/4 Super Sunday
DivTeamPointsResult
1E Flag of Armenia.svg Armenia Eagles22Win
2E Flag of Russia.svg Volga Stormbringers21.5Win
3C Flag of Slovenia.svg Ljubljana Turtles21Win
4C Flag of France.svg Marseille Migraines18.5Win
5C Flag of Sweden.svg Stockholm Snowballs17.5Win
6E Flag of India.svg Mumbai Movers17.5Win
7E Flag of Norway.svg Norway Gnomes17Draw
8E Flag of Latvia.svg Riga Magicians16.5Draw
9E Flag of India.svg Delhi Dynamite16Draw
10C Flag of England.svg London Lions15Draw
11C Flag of the Netherlands.svg Amsterdam Mosquitoes15Loss
12C Flag of Iceland.svg Reykjavik Puffins14.5Loss
13E Flag of Norway.svg Oslo Trolls13.5Loss
14C Flag of England.svg London Towers12.5Loss
15C Flag of France.svg Cannes Blockbusters9Loss
16E Flag of Estonia.svg Estonia Horses8.5Loss
2/3 Super Saturday
DivTeamPointsResult
1P Flag of the United States.svg San Jose Hackers21.5Win
2P Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Chengdu Pandas20Win
3P Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia Kangaroos19.5Win
4A Flag of the United States.svg Webster Windmills19Win
5A Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Montreal Chessbrahs18Win
6P Flag of the United States.svg Dallas Destiny18Win
7P Flag of the United States.svg Rio Grande Ospreys17.5Draw
8P Flag of the United States.svg San Diego Surfers16.5Draw
9A Flag of the United States.svg Pittsburgh Pawngrabbers16Draw
10A Flag of the United States.svg Saint Louis Arch Bishops15.5Draw
11P Flag of the United States.svg Seattle Sluggers15Loss
12A Flag of the United States.svg Minnesota Blizzard14.5Loss
13A Flag of the United States.svg Montclair Sopranos13.5Loss
14A Flag of the United States.svg Miami Champions11Loss
15P Flag of the United States.svg Las Vegas Desert Rats11Loss
16A Flag of Argentina.svg Buenos Aires Krakens9.5Loss

Standings

The top four teams from each division qualify for the playoffs while the two worst teams are relegated from the league and will have to partake in the qualifiers in order to rejoin the league. [8]

Eastern Division
TeamsWinsLossGame Points
1
Flag of Armenia.svg Armenia Eagles
6.52.598
2
Flag of India.svg Delhi Dynamite
5.53.595
3
Flag of India.svg Mumbai Movers
5.53.585
4
Flag of Estonia.svg Estonia Horses
5488
5
Flag of Norway.svg Norway Gnomes
4592
6
Flag of Russia.svg Volga Stormbringers
4588
7
Flag of Latvia.svg Riga Magicians
3.55.581
8
Flag of Norway.svg Oslo Trolls
2775.5
Central Division
TeamsWinsLossGame Points
1
Flag of Sweden.svg Stockholm Snowballs
6.52.590.5
2
Flag of France.svg Marseille Migraines
6.52.587
3
Flag of France.svg Cannes Blockbusters
5478.5
4
Flag of Slovenia.svg Ljubljana Turtles
4.54.589.5
5
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Amsterdam Mosquitoes
3690
6
Flag of England.svg London Lions
4679.5
7
Flag of Iceland.svg Reykjavik Puffins
2.56.578.5
8
Flag of England.svg London Towers
1871.5
Atlantic Division
TeamsWinsLossGame Points
1
Flag of the United States.svg Webster Windmills
7.51.599.5
2
Flag of the United States.svg Pittsburgh Pawngrabbers
7298
3
Flag of the United States.svg St. Louis Arch Bishops
5.53.5101
4
Flag of the United States.svg Minnesota Blizzard
5.53.592
5
Flag of the United States.svg Montclair Sopranos
4585.5
6
Flag of the United States.svg Miami Champions
3683
7
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Montreal ChessBrahs
2.56.583
8
Flag of Argentina.svg Buenos Aires Krakens
2773.5
Pacific Division
TeamsWinsLossGame Points
1
Flag of the United States.svg San Diego Surfers
7.51.599
2
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Chengdu Pandas
6.52.5104
3
Flag of the United States.svg Dallas Destiny
6.52.5100
4
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia Kangaroos
5494.5
5
Flag of the United States.svg San Jose Hackers
4.54.597.5
6
Flag of the United States.svg Seattle Sluggers
4.54.586
7
Flag of the United States.svg Rio Grande Ospreys
3.55.584.5
8
Flag of the United States.svg Las Vegas Desert Rats
1860.5

Playoffs

After the regular season, the top four teams from each division qualified for the playoffs with the teams being seeded 1–4 in their division. In addition, the teams that won their division were invited to play the final two round in San Francisco at the Folsom Street Foundry. [9] [10]

Division Semifinals
March 13
Division Championship
March 21
Semifinals
April 7
San Francisco
PCL Championship
April 8
San Francisco
            
E1 Flag of Armenia.svg Armenia Eagles10.5
E4 Flag of Estonia.svg Estonia Horses 5.5
E1 Flag of Armenia.svg Armenia Eagles8*
Eastern
E3 Flag of India.svg Mumbai Movers 8
E2 Flag of India.svg Delhi Dynamite 7.5
E3 Flag of India.svg Mumbai Movers8.5
E1 Flag of Armenia.svg Armenia Eagles8.5
A3 Flag of the United States.svg St. Louis Arch Bishops 7.5
A1 Flag of the United States.svg Webster Windmills 7.5
A4 Flag of the United States.svg Minnesota Blizzard8.5
A4 Flag of the United States.svg Minnesota Blizzard 6
Atlantic
A3 Flag of the United States.svg St. Louis Arch Bishops10
A2 Flag of the United States.svg Pittsburgh Pawngrabbers 6
A3 Flag of the United States.svg St. Louis Arch Bishops10
E1 Flag of Armenia.svg Armenia Eagles12***
P2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Chengdu Pandas 11
P1 Flag of the United States.svg San Diego Surfers 5.5
P4 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia Kangaroos10.5
P4 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia Kangaroos 7
Pacific
P2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Chengdu Pandas9
P2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Chengdu Pandas8*
P3 Flag of the United States.svg Dallas Destiny 8
P2 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Chengdu Pandas9.5
C4 Flag of Slovenia.svg Ljubljana Turtles 6.5
C1 Flag of Sweden.svg Stockholm Snowballs 7.5 Third place match
C4 Flag of Slovenia.svg Ljubljana Turtles8.5
C4 Flag of Slovenia.svg Ljubljana Turtles9.5A3 Flag of the United States.svg St. Louis Arch Bishops9.5
Central
C2 Flag of France.svg Marseille Migraines 6.5 C4 Flag of Slovenia.svg Ljubljana Turtles 6.5
C2 Flag of France.svg Marseille Migraines9
C3 Flag of France.svg Cannes Blockbusters 7

Awards

All Stars
DivisionPlayerTeam
Eastern
Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen Flag of Norway.svg Norway Gnomes
Flag of Armenia.svg Hrant Melkumyan Flag of Armenia.svg Armenia Eagles
Flag of Armenia.svg Zaven Anderiasyan Flag of Armenia.svg Armenia Eagles
Flag of India.svg Viswanathan Anand Flag of India.svg Mumbai Movers
Central
Flag of France.svg Maxime Vachier-Lagrave Flag of France.svg Marseille Migraines
Flag of Germany.svg Georg Meier Flag of Sweden.svg Stockholm Snowballs
Flag of Slovenia.svg Luka Lenic Flag of Slovenia.svg Ljubljana Turtles
Flag of England.svg Gawain Jones Flag of England.svg London Towers
Atlantic
Flag of the United States.svg Fabiano Caruana Flag of the United States.svg St. Louis Arch Bishops
Flag of Russia.svg Aleksandr Shimanov Flag of the United States.svg Webster Windmills
Flag of the United States.svg Awonder Liang Flag of the United States.svg Pittsburgh Pawngrabbers
Flag of the United States.svg Andrew Tang Flag of the United States.svg Minnesota Blizzard
Pacific
Flag of the United States.svg Hikaru Nakamura Flag of the United States.svg Seattle Slggers
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Yu Yangyi Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Chengdu Pandas
Flag of Russia.svg Alexey Dreev Flag of the United States.svg San Diego Surfers
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Anton Smirnov Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia Kangaroos
Individual Performances
AwardPlayerTeam
MVP Gold medal icon.svg Flag of the United States.svg Fabiano Caruana Flag of the United States.svg St. Louis Arch Bishops
MVP Silver medal icon.svg Flag of Norway.svg Magnus Carlsen Flag of Norway.svg Norway Gnomes
MVP Bronze medal icon.svg Flag of the United States.svg Hikaru Nakamura Flag of the United States.svg Seattle Sluggers
Best Female Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Ju Wenjun Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Chengdu Pandas
U2600 Flag of Armenia.svg Zaven Andriasyan Flag of Armenia.svg Armenia Eagles
U2500 Flag of the United States.svg Andrew Tang Flag of the United States.svg Minnesota Blizzard
U2400 Flag of England.svg Brandon Clarke Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia Kangaroos
U2300 Flag of Armenia.svg Artak Manukyan Flag of Armenia.svg Armenia Eagles
U2200 Flag of Estonia.svg Sander Kukk Flag of Estonia.svg Estonia Horses

[11]

All-Star Game

The 2018 All-Star Game was on September 8 with stage 1 and on September 9 for stage 2. The following event format was used. [12]

First roundSecond roundFinal
1Pacific Division4
2Atlantic Division42Atlantic Division3
3Central Division24Eastern Division2
4Eastern Division4

References

  1. (MikeKlein), Mike Klein. "Armenia Eagles Win PRO Chess League In Triple Overtime". Chess.com. Retrieved 2018-06-22.
  2. "PRO League Qualifier: 40 Teams Vie for 8 Spots".
  3. "PRO League Qualifiers Set for Oct. 28".
  4. "PRO Chess League Announces Returning Teams, New Qualifiers".
  5. "Qualifier Rules".
  6. (PROChessLeague), PRO Chess League. "Carlsen, 5 Of World's Top 10 To Play In PRO Chess Super Weekend". Chess.com. Retrieved 2018-07-20.
  7. "Caruana Perfect, Carlsen Nearly So in Record-Smashing PRO Super Saturday".
  8. "Rules". PRO CHESS LEAGUE. Retrieved 2018-06-22.
  9. (News), Chess.com Webmaster. "PRO Chess League Finals Set For San Francisco". Chess.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  10. (News), Chess com Webmaster. "PRO Chess League Finals FAQ". Chess.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  11. "PRO Chess League All Stars, MVPS Announced".
  12. "The PRO Chess League All Stars Face off".