The Blitz were KO’d by the Knockouts in their latest USCL match by a score of 3-1.  With GM Christiansen blundering a piece within the first 10 moves on board 1, it left the Blitz team on the ropes for the entire night, looking for that one shot to get them back in the game but knowing that a points decision would definitely go against them.

Despite losing on the night, the Blitz fared well in the other games and Esserman provided a glimor of hope with a calm win down on board 4.  Shmelov held his own against Ippolito on board 2 but rejected a drawing line and a repetition of moves due to the fact that the Blitz were trying to play catch up.  He eventually lost the position in a time scramble after a host of complications eventually worked out in favor of his opponent.  Riordan also put up a good individual fight on board 3 against Molner but eventually succumbed thanks to over pressing an equal position, again due to the match aspect.