What is the U.S.C.L.?

The United States Chess League

     The U.S.C.L. is currently the only nation-wide chess league in America.  Every year, from late August through November, teams play one match a week against another team within the league.  Each match consists of four games.  At the end of the regular season, the top four teams (determined by the best match point totals) from each of the two divisions compete in the league playoffs, which are matches played in a knockout format.  The winning teams from each division then play a Championship Match, to determine the U.S.C.L. Champions for that season!

     The league was founded in 2005 by IM Gregory Shahade.  Some of the highest rated chess players in the United States play in the U.S.C.L., on one of the many teams that the league represents.  The league itself continues to grow with each new season, so please join us here on Chess.com's " United States Chess League " group and show your support!

     The icons below contain links within them that lead to other online sources about the league.  Click on them to activate the link.

     A Wikipedia article about the league

     The U.S.C.L. homepage

The President of the U.S.C.L.

     IM Gregory Shahade

     Greg was born in 1978, and is just one of multiple titled chess players in his family (his father is FM Michael Shahade, and his sister is WGM Jennifer Shahade).  Greg is a former member of the Executive Board of the U.S.C.F., and is also a professional poker player.  He founded the U.S.C.L. in 2005. 

     The icons below contain links within them that lead to other online sources about Greg.  Click on them to activate the link.

     A Wikipedia article about Greg

     The F.I.D.E. profile for Greg

     The U.S.C.F. profile for Greg (type in Shahade, Greg)

     Greg's games on Chessgames

         Greg's blogs on Word Press

The Vice-President of the U.S.C.L.

     NM Arun Sharma

     Arun is a Professor that has received his Ph.D in mathematics, and teaches at Berkeley in California.  Mr. Sharma assists Mr. Shahade in the running of the U.S.C.L. 

     The icons below contain links within them that lead to other online sources about Arun.  Click on them to activate the link.

     The F.I.D.E. profile for Arun

     The U.S.C.F. profile for Arun (type in Sharma, Arun)

     Arun's blog on the U.S.C.L. on Blogger

How you can support the U.S.C.L.

     The league has continued to grow each and every season since 2005.  Part of that growth and success comes from the interest the league generates, as well as sponsorship and support.  Below are just some of the ways that you can help support the U.S.C.L.

     If you haven't already, one of the easiest ways you can support the league is by joining us in the " United States Chess League " group here on Chess.com!  Each member of the site that joins helps to contribute to the awareness of the league, and lets the U.S.C.L. know that all of us here on Chess.com support them and what they are attempting to accomplish.

     A more direct way to show your support would be to visit the league's store, where you can purchase merchandise for your favorite team(s) as well as the league in general.  Profits from sales help to keep the league running in an efficient manner, so don't hesitate to use the link below and stop in today!

     Finally, the most direct way to show your support for the U.S.C.L. would be through a direct monetary donation using pay pal.  The link below will direct you to a location that gives directly to the league.  Please note, that you can also donate to your favorite team in the same manner.  Simply select any team page from the league website, and a pay pal icon should direct you to a similar selection as below.  The only difference would be that money donated from a team page will go to that team, while the league donation goes to the league itself.

     The icons below contain links within them that lead to other online sources that help the league.  Click on them to activate the link.

     The U.S.C.L. homepage on Chess.com

     The U.S.C.L. online store at the league website

     Direct league donations through PayPal (site link currently broken)