It seems like there is a solid concensus here.  I would like to summarize it and then put the concensus out for a vote to members to agree or disagree (and if they disagree, why).   Please let me know if you think my concensus is accurate.  Once this forum agrees, I will put it out for a vote to the members (assuming some of them will see it and vote ).

As a team, Team USA Southwest is in favor of being realigned to form fewer USA Teams.  Exactly how this is done will be a decision made across the USA Teams and the World League.

As a team we request actions to be taken to ensure that lower rated players who otherwise may be excluded from team match play have the opportunity to compete for their team.  Exactly how this is done will be a decision made by the World League.

Thanks for your feedback,

Paul

First of all I have no problems with the USA merging its teams to become more competative amonst the world.  I will endorse such a change if and only if tournaments and such play is made available for the lower rnaking players.  What I have noticed so far during my short membership is that these teams are geared for the high ranking players.  This does not give the lower ranking players much of an opportunity to participate in these events.  If there could be a reasonble number of events that the lower ranking players could compete in then I think that this merger would be benificial for all.

Thanks for the links pdmura. 

After reviewing many of the matches it does appear that in many cases the USA teams are struggling against higher rated opponents, especially at the lower levels.  In other words, in many cases it looks like we need more mid and lower level players to be equal to the other team.  I think the teams should be combined such that no team has less than 400 players if possible.  Bottom line is if we want to be competitive with other teams around the world we need to be a similar size.

So I am in favor of combining teams.

Hi knightspawn5 from Team Usa Northwest,  the only thing I can say at this point is please go look at our round 9 and tell me if we are outmatched in our game. But for now I will tell you yes and we have been for most of the season. Right now the WL is just trying to figure out for the 2010 season for the lineup. 

If we combine our teams , it will make us stronger and some of the lesser rated palyes might not get the chance to play as you say.  But at the same time, with proper management, you could always ask players to drop out if higher ones arent needed. I also will be asking the WL to make games in divisions say 600-1300, then 1301 -1699, then 1700-1900, then 1901-2100, then 2101-2500 and so forth.  But we can only do all this one step at a time. Right now we just want to make the USA Teams a little stronger to be more competitive.  That will require combining some teams to it.  3 teams have been sugested so far but 4 could do just as well. So please consider all options and do waht is best for the USA. Thanks.

Sounds good!

Is there any chance that the organization would allow two (or even three) sets of pairings in a tournament, much as they do in over the board majors.  That way more players on a team would have a chance at playing.

I think you should create two divisons, higher and lower.

Warrior wrote:  "...we have no chance of winning group A and 2 of our teams (Including us in the Southwest)play in Group B."

Just a note:  WL Admin Guidelines it says that the difference between the groups is the number of boards required per match:  Group A = 20 and Group B = 15.  My opinion is that we are likely the strongest USA Team regardless of group because we have never fielded a team of less than 20, and neither have our opponents.

Definitely in favor of a merger,the U.S  has the strongest representation on chess.com yet we have no chance of winning group A and 2 of our teams (Including us in the Southwest)play in Group B.

I would be in favor of a merger, but I'm fine either way.  We, at least, are competitive as we stand in our group.

I think that it would be terribly helpful to create a poll page, mayhaps we could speak to a staff member about the possibility, we could present the data for combining. Personally, I feel that we would have a greater chance to play in a larger group. As it is I have participated in 3 total world matches, mostly due to our team having far more players signing up. I for one am all for merging the teams, for once, I would not mind having an opposing team that can field more members than we can.

It seems that players under 1600 don't really get to participate, so I'm not sure if we should even be on the team...grouping in that case would not matter.

Sorry - I am struggling with communications and formatting problems.  Here are links to the official World League standings for Groups A and B that USA teams are in:

http://www.chess.com/groups/forumview/group-a---main-forum

http://www.chess.com/groups/forumview/group-b---main-forum

Nicely put desperadoes and thanks for summarizing it! I was in the process of collecting that data for s7silver when you posted it.  Thanks!

The most recent World League standings are from October 09, 2009

The four Team USA teams in Group A are not doing that well: 

• Southeast is tied for 5th,
• Northeast is tied for 7th,
• North Central and South Central are tied for 8th. 

Details may be seen at this link: 

The two Team USA teams in Group B are doing better (well, we are doing better):

• Southwest is tied for 2nd (remember we are currently loosing to Romania, so this will probably change),
• Northwest is tied for 6th. 

Details may be seen at this link:

So, it appears that WE are competitive, but the other US teams are struggling.

I agree with s7silver.  We need more data.  How have the other US teams done?  I know we have done pretty well, the only match we were outclassed in was against Romania and even then it wasn't a blowout.  Our match with Portugal is flat out even.  However, I am pretty sure that at least one of the US teams hasn't done well at all.

I like the idea except for the lower rated player problem. [Edit: Good point by desperadoes that this problem might be solved by the US teams moving up to the bigger groups.]

There are both good and bad results from this move. First off we play in group B of the World League which is only comprised of the second largest groups. A merger from 6 US teams to 3 US teams would roughly double each team in size. This would mean all 3 new US teams would probably move up to play in group A where the largest groups in the World League play.

Here are a few statistics about group A regarding size and rating:

Team Philippines: Member 633, Rating 1693

Team Sweeden: Members 548, Rating 1423

Team India: Member 547, Rating 1502

Team England: Members 535, Rating 1648

Team Greece: Member 509, Rating 1515

Team Australia: Members 441, Rating 1473

Team Canada: Members 437, Rating 1572

Team Italia: Member 372, Rating 1594

If we moved to group A, we would still be matched up against teams roughly the same size as us. However, it would still come down to how many players from the other teams decide to join. This could be one of the cons. If we get matched with teams that don't participate very well we could be left with a lot of members who don't get the opportunity to play in the match. Although if we get great participation from both teams it would be fun to have team matches with 100+ players.

If the merger were to happen it seems as though Team USA Southwest would combine its players with Team USA Northwest to create Team USA West. If these two teams combined with the current players on each side, it would produce a team of 410 members with an average rating of 1653. If this were the case we could be competitive in our rating but lack in members. With some recruiting we could get close to the 500 members and still have a legitimate chance of being a great team.

Either way I would support whatever decision you make pdmura. I would be interested to see what states fall in to West, Central and East.

Sonny - Good idea, but this will only benefit the strong players. And what about the lesser ones? I don't think they will agree to this, since being able to compete in the world league makes them a part of the team, and taking out this previlege is like creating a unhappy team waiting to self destruct. It would be much better if all those who want to play will be given the chance, and this will bring out the best in them and in the long run will create a competitive spirit for the whole team.

I absolutely agree with you Sonny - that is why I started trying to promote matches for players rated below 1700 - I am very concerned that everyone does not get to participate.

I think the structure of the teams should stay the same , at least a while longer ,    we are a big nation.