04/23/2005

   Miami Sharks join the USCL along with league's 3rd GM.
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by USCL Commissioner - Greg Shahade
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  The Miami Sharks, led by Cuban born Grandmaster Julio Beccera (2622), become the 6th US Chess League team. Miami is well known for it's contingent of strong Cuban players, as five Miami players who qualified for the 2005 US Championship, were nicknamed the "Cuban Mafia".
   The matches will be played at the Miami International Chess Academy which is run by fellow team member, IM Blas Lugo (2426). The top Miami players already compliment each other well, as Becerra is known for his crisp positional feel, whereas Lugo is well known for his aggressive attacking talents. FM Javier Torres (2231) has also joined the Sharks squad and will be playing board 3 or 4, depending on the lineup.
    Young FM Marcel Martinez is the Sharks manager. It is unclear whether or not he will be able to compete on the team, as he has prior commitments on Wednesday evenings, however fans of the Miami Sharks should hope that he can, as he would be a tremendous help to the team. In any case you have to like Miami's chances to compete, with Grandmaster Becerra on the top board and the overall commeraderie that the Miami players share with one another.


 


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