PRO Chess League Summer Series: Moscow, Mumbai Both Look For Strong Finishes
Group C of the PRO Chess League Summer Series will come to an end on Saturday as the Armenia Eagles, Moscow Wizards, Mumbai Movers and the Sao Paulo Capybaras each look to make their case for a spot in the Summer Series Championship this August.
As fans pick which teams to play for in the final week of Group C (July 27, 7 a.m. PDT), these will be the two key questions they have for each matchup:
1. Will Moscow or Mumbai progress to the Summer Series Championship? These teams faced last week in their Live Club Match, and have one final encounter in the Knockout Battle semifinal before Group C comes to an end. That game may decide who gets left behind when the Summer Series Championship starts.
2. Are Armenia Eagles on their way out? The 2018 champions seem to be on their way out of the PRO Chess League's first-ever summer event. An early Eagles elimination would be the first surprise of the summer, as many pundits had picked Armenia as a strong contender to win the event back in April. Armenia can still qualify, but the stars need to align like they did for Pittsburgh three weeks ago.
2019 PRO Chess League Summer Series | Group C Standings
Team | Points | Club | |
Sao Paulo Capybaras | 8 | Fan Club | |
Moscow Wizards | 7 | Fan Club | |
Mumbai Movers | 6 | Fan Club | |
Armenia Eagles | 3 | Fan Club |
While teams will be counting on their star players, they will also be counting on you, the fans, to help them progress to the Summer Series Championship! To help your favorite teams make the cut, make sure to join their clubs and play in this Saturday's Live Club Matches.
Why Mumbai wins: If the Movers want to break "The Curse Of Five", they need their fans to upset the Sao Paulo Capybaras. IM Nubairshah Shaikh will be an underdog against GM Sandro Mareco, but Mumbai's club gives them a strong chance of winning. Remember how Sao Paulo lost by fifty to Moscow? And then Mumbai lost to that same Wizards team by a much smaller margin? Crazier things have happened this summer, so don't be surprised if the Movers leave this match with three points.
Why Sao Paulo wins: Capybara fans have fond memories of last week's six point performance, and since then their club has grown by over 400 fans! Sao Paulo only needs to draw (or beat) Mumbai to clinch a spot in the Summer Series Championship, so expect the Brazilian side to turnout en masse to push the Capybaras over the top. GM Sandro Mareco on top board? Cakewalk.
Why Armenia wins: This has not been the best summer for the Eagles, but if the Armenians want to secure a position in August's Summer Series Championship, they have to win this match. Moscow has proven to be a daunting Live Club Match force, but General Manager CM Artak Manukyan has been streaming all week to recruit new fans. GM Shant Sargsyan will lead the Eagles on Saturday as they 2018 champions take their final shot.
Why Moscow wins: A prefect record in Live Club Matches is nothing to shy away from. GM Vlad Dobrov will make his Summer Series debut, and knows that a win over the Eagles will likely see the Wizards lock up their spot in the Summer Series Championship. The Wizards have brought over 70 fans to each match so far, and there's no reason to believe Moscow's fanbase will stop now.
Each week Chess.com will reach out to various guests to make their picks for the Summer Series Championship. WIM Ayelen Martinez (@AyelenChess) is this week's featured guest, and will be providing commentary on Saturday's official Summer Series broadcast.
When asked about her picks for the PRO Chess League Summer Series Championship, Martinez said:
I have a feeling that this is the summer for the Sao Paulo Capybaras. Their fans have done a lot to bring them to this point, and it's hard to see players like GMs Alireza Firouzja and Sandro Mareco letting them down.
Among the top teams, it's the usual suspects - Saint Louis, Chengdu, and Norway. Really excited for the Summer Series Championship... can't wait!
Ayelen Martinez's Bracket:
Disagree with Ayelen's picks? Make your picks in the comments and play in the PRO Chess League Summer Series this Saturday, July 27 at 7 a.m. Pacific. To watch the official coverage, visit Twitch.tv/chess and follow the channel to get notifications for the Summer Series.
Just learning about the PRO Chess League Summer Series? Visit the site and check out the official information article.