PRO Chess League

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The league had a variety of formats over its history, but there were some consistent points throughout. Matches were played between teams of 4 players using the scheveningen system, pitting each team member against every player from the opposing team. Teams had a rating cap (usually 2500) to ensure balanced matchups.

Teams were split into geographical divisions (Central & Western for Europe & West/Central Asia, and Atlantic & Pacific for the Americas, East Asia & the Pacific nations)

The time control was 15+2 in the first seasons, but this changed to 10+2 for the later seasons.{{cite web | url=http://www.prochessleague.com/rules.html | title=Home }}

The first season started on January 11, 2017, and ended March 26, 2017.{{cite web |url=https://new.uschess.org/news/the-pro-chess-league-begins-on-wednesday/ |title=The PRO Chess League Begins on Wednesday |author=US Chess |publisher=United States Chess Federation |date=January 9, 2017 |access-date=February 12, 2017}}{{cite web |author=PROChessLeague |url=https://www.chess.com/article/view/2017-pro-chess-league-schedule |title=2017 PRO Chess League Schedule |publisher=United States Chess Federation |date=December 19, 2016 |access-date=February 12, 2017}} 48 teams participated, twelve of which had previously participated in the USCL. After the end of the first season, the St. Louis Arch Bishops defeated the Norway Gnomes, thus securing their first title.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/saint-louis-arch-bishops-win-inaugural-pro-league-title-7360|title = St. Louis Arch Bishops Win Inaugural PRO League Title| date=26 March 2017 }} Wesley So won MVP. The PCL has a total prize fund of $50,000 compared to a prize fund of $10,000 in the USCL.{{cite web |first1=Daniel |last1=Rensch |url=https://www.chess.com/news/pro-chess-league-prize-fund-increased-to-50k-2699 |title=PRO Chess League Prize Fund Increased To $50k+ |publisher=United States Chess Federation |date=January 10, 2017 |access-date=February 12, 2017}} In its second season, Greg Shahade introduced and new qualifications to join the league and an All-Star Game.

Supporters say the league's worldwide distribution, the prize money, and the participation of many of the world's top-rated players may create a new level of competition and awareness for the game. It is anticipated that the new formats are leading to a "rise in popularity of online and rapid chess". In addition, the PCL has the potential to dramatically change chess culture and could lead to corporate sponsorships. This change from an "individual and slow game," to a relatively quick and team format, has made the offering more viewer friendly.

In a 2017 article, Greg Shahade made a similar statement to what Eric Rosen mentioned. Shahade talked about the league featuring worldwide team competition, using the scheveningen system which gives lower rated players the chance to pull upset each week, and having the chance to "revolutionize chess".{{cite web|url=https://gregshahade.wordpress.com/2017/01/09/the-top-10-reasons-you-should-be-watching-the-pro-chess-league/|title=The Top 10 Reasons You Should be Watching the PRO Chess League|last1=Shahade|first1=Greg|date=January 9, 2017|publisher=wordpress.com|access-date=February 14, 2017}}{{Cite news|url=https://new.uschess.org/news/pro-chess-league-returns-saturday/|title=The PRO Chess League Returns on Saturday! - US Chess|date=2017-10-27|work=US Chess|access-date=2018-06-28|language=en-US}}

In an article written by ESPN, Viswanathan Anand spoke about how convenient it was to play online compared to playing over-the-board.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/chess/story/_/id/22473355/league-own|title = Pro Chess: In a 'league' of its own|date = 17 February 2018}}

{{Cquote|Here you don't get together with the team the previous night to discuss strategy, so it's far more improvised. In all leagues you play one game a day. Here you play four, so you're very alive to the evolving score.

|author=Viswanathan Anand

|source=article by ESPN

}}

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Category:2017 in chess

Category:2017 establishments in the United States

Category:Sports leagues established in 2017

Category:Team chess competitions

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