Week 9 Western Matches promise tremendous action as regular season nears its end

As one team tries to clinch the division and the other clings to a desperate playoff hope, we see a great rematch as GM Akobian (right) battles GM Holt (DAL). The two played an exciting game in Week 1, with Holt’s big victory being a huge catalyst in starting Dallas’s great season. Click here for Western Week 9 Lineups!

We start with Carolina taking on Miami, with the Sharks needing only a draw to clinch a coveted playoff spot but will certainly not be looking to do only that as a win would put them in position to overtake Dallas to win the division should they win their head to head meeting in the final week.

Next up St. Louis takes on Dallas with the Arch Bishops down to their final hope to still make the postseason, needing to win twice combined with two Miami losses. Meanwhile the Destiny have a chance to win the division with a week to spare if things go their way in this week and will doubtlessly will do their best to do just that rather than hoping not to have to fend off Miami in the last week.

Another two teams who are in a tough position as they still cling to their playoff hopes are next as Arizona battles Seattle. The Scorpions need two wins along with some help to still make it while the Sluggers can ill afford not to win themselves as a loss could well eliminate them immediately, and a draw may make their odds very long in the final week. But as always, strange things can happen in the League, and no team will be giving up until their last chance is exhausted.

In the battle for California supremacy, a match which could well be a Quarterfinals match ends the night as Los Angeles takes on San Francisco. The Mechanics need only a draw to clinch the division and will likely be looking to do just that rather than having to risk losing it as they will face a determined Seattle team in the last week who will likely be out for blood as they fight for their playoff lives. The Vibe having scored a huge win over their closest competitor for the second playoff spot last week cannot afford to stop there as a loss this week is likely to leave their playoff hopes somewhat out of their hands - certainly not a position any team wishes to be in.

Tune in to chess.com as nearly every team has a huge stake in the result of their match this week in what should be an incredible day of action!