“Underdogs Shine in 2024 Collegiate Chess League Fall Season Opener”
The underdogs made a statement as the 2024 Collegiate Chess League Fall (CCL) kicked off this past Saturday. In a surprising turn of events, Saint Louis University emerged victorious over Athens, while Virginia pulled off a major upset by defeating the top-seeded Missouri team.
Boards three and four, GM Dambasuren Batsuren and NM Shelev Oberoi, were the standout performers for Saint Louis, each achieving an impressive 3/4 score. On the other hand, Virginia’s board one, FM Jason Morefield, delivered a flawless performance by sweeping the Missouri team with a 4-0 score.
The CCL, now in its ninth season, features the top eight teams by rating in Division 1, with a total of 16 teams in other divisions. The teams will compete in a seven-week round-robin format, with the top six teams advancing to the playoffs for a chance to win a share of the $25,000 prize fund.
In the first match of the season, Saint Louis secured a 10-6 victory over Athens, despite fielding a revamped team following the graduation of their top players. Oberoi’s stellar performance, including a win against Athens’ board one, played a crucial role in Saint Louis’ success.
In the second match, the underdog Virginia team stunned the top-seeded Missouri squad with a 9-7 victory. Led by FM Morefield’s exceptional performance, Virginia managed to outplay the favorites and secure a memorable win.
The Collegiate Chess League continues with week 2 on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 2 p.m. ET/20:00 CET/0:30 a.m. IST. Stay tuned for more exciting matches and upsets in the world of collegiate chess.