Well, the game is on as the New York Knights have White against our Boston Blitz in tonight’s semi-final. If there is such a thing as home field advantage, Boston has it in the draw odds factor. Due to Boston’s better season record, they will advance in the case of a draw. Believe me, this is a big advantage in match play.

To call this a grudge match is understating things. The BOS – NY rivalry crosses all boundaries in Boston… from Baseball to Tiddlywinks… we just can’t lose to the “Evil Empire”… can we?

The history is that NY beat us in a semi-final match in 2006 and Boston returned the favor in 2007. So, this is the big one… the “Naahh! Naahh! Na Naahh! Naahh!”… We’re the best of all-time… match of the decade. So, let’s get ready to Rumbbblllleee… as manager Jorge Sammour-Hasbun has put up his 10th new lineup (in 11 matches) this year… and a very surprising one it is.

GM Giorgi Kacheishvili (NY) vs. GM Larry Christiansen (BOS)

This was an automatic for Boston. Larry is the heart of the team and must return to form for Boston to go far into the playoffs. On the other hand, GM Kacheishvili has shown top form in the last match of the regular season as he overcame Jorge’s slightly unsound attack for a nice victory in week 10. I predict a no holds barred, barn burner.

GM Eugene Perelshteyn (BOS) vs. GM Pascal Charbonneau (NY)

This will be a tough one for Eugene… witness their last league encounter in 2007 where GM Charbonneau won GOTW as Black. Eugene has been rock solid with White this year and is playing well. Will he return to his favorite English… or venture e4. I have no clue on this one, but expect some heavy preparation from both sides… maybe a theoretical novelty?

NM Matt Herman (NY) vs. NM Vadim Matirisov (BOS)

This was the shocker pairing of the match. What happened to Marc or Anya? Third board was expected to be advantage Boston in either case… Now, the pressure is on Vadim who turned in his best performance of the year last week in an easy romp over NY’s NM Erenburg on 4th board. Vadim is always well prepared and I expect a very close battle here. This may be the swing game of the match.

NM Ilya Krasik (BOS) vs. NM Yaacov Norowitz (NY)

This was another automatic for Jorge for as much as Larry is the heart… Ilya must be the soul. Ilya is in good form at this season’s end. Expect him to be theoretically accurate and to complicate whenever he gets the chance. NY must have anticipated this matchup… which manager will get the pat on the back after this one is anyone’s guess.

Has Jorge overdone the strategy in this match? We’ll know tonight. But, that’s the way it always is in Boston – NY matches… the manager always suffers the second guessing of us fans… win or lose. But, right now… we’re with you all the way Jorge… Go Boston!