[imagefield_assist|fid=17192|preset=fullsize|lightbox=true|title=Im Priyadharshan Kannappan continued his strong play for Saint Louis with a win over IM Mark Ginsburg.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=600|height=441]
By Alex Marler
The Arch Bishops continued their comeback last week with a 3 - 1 victory over the Arizona Scorpions. The season began with two unfortunate results: a loss to Dallas Destiny in week, and a loss to Miami Sharks in week two. Both Dallas, and Miami are two of the strongest teams in the league, so pair those with Saint Louis and shove them into one division, and you have the strongest division in the league. Saint Louis is currently one point behind Miami in the standings with four matches to go. With the top two finishers in each division going to the playoffs, it seems likely that Saint Louis will edge out Miami to take the No. 2 spot. The Arch Bishops should have the advantage in their upcoming match with Miami, since Miami lost their top player, 2600+ FIDE Rated, GM Quesada. The big challenge comes from Texas, the current League Champs, Dallas Destiny. They have a massive score, five wins and one loss, and should easily hold their top spot in the division.
The Scorpions surprised the Arch Bishops by going with a bottom heavy strategy. Arizona sat their typical No. 2 player, IM Lev Altounian, so that they could field stronger players on board 3 and 4. This didn’t improve things, as the Arch Bishops were higher rated on boards 1, 2 and 3.
GM Akobian easily held GM Molner to a draw with black on board 1. The game was a quiet Queen’s Indian Defense. GM Molner made no attempt to hide his desire to draw when he played 12. Bg5, voluntarily giving up his two bishop advantage. The position simplified, and the players quickly played a reptition. GM Akobian vs GM Molner ½ - ½
On board two, IM Kannappan, last year’s board two league MVP, was the clear favorite with white against the seasoned IM Mark Ginsburg. IM Kannappan smoothly outplayed his opponent in the early part of the game. This led to a position where Kannappan had connected passers on the queenside, and the result was never in doubt. Kannappan vs Ginsburg 1-0
Board three featured the most unsettling game of the match. The Arch Bishops’ IM Neimer defended with a rare line of the modern against Arizona’s FM Adamson. The game was back and forth, which is to be expected in an opposite side castling position. Eventually, Neimer errored first with the blunder, 23...b4?? giving FM Adamson a winning attack. Unfortunately the for the Adamson, the position was too crazy to come up with the best moves. He squandered his advantage with 25. Rhe1??. Neimer did not return the favor and finished the game quite quickly. FM Adamson vs IM Neimer 0 - 1
The last board and final game of the match featured the largest rating disparity, 343 points! Jacob Wilkins is the Arch Bishops’ gate keeper. He has held all opposition to at least a draw this season. This game was no different. Wilkins defended well throughout the entire game, eventually forcing a liquidation of pieces to an easily drawn ending. Wilkins - NM Hu ½ - ½
Make sure to checkout the games tonight as the Arch Bishops battle against the Manhattan Applesauce. The games are played on chess.com, so they can be viewed there, or at the club.
