I think you are right in spirit, at least. The USCL is historically unparalleled (Chicago? not even close) in its prominence and national scope. The US Amateur team tournaments are terrific fun and historic events, but they aren’t leagues, per se.

Elizabeth

First of all, I think that the problem is not that big. I have been a team captain for a few years now and I only ‘forced’ (he is allowed to decline) a player to draw once. As a team player, I have seen this not that often either, and maybe twice in my own games. And if this happens, I will act according my team captain’s wishes. After all, I committed myself to a team and this implicates that team interests prevail.

Which brings me to the most important thing: a team match is simply great. It already starts with the preparation. Who are our possible opponents? Can we expect a certain line-up? Oh, mr. X is in their team. This guy always plays the Kings Indian. Well, in my team, Charlie is only 6th on rating but when he plays against the Kings Indian, he is worth 150 points more. So Charlie plays at the first board. Well, Danny has been on the second board for the last three games and I think his opponent will be preparing for him. Danny hates opening preparation, so therefore I will put him on four this time.

After a travel full of fun, we arrive at our opponent’s club house. It is a nice atmosphere and I can chat with some old friends. During the game, I ask my team captain about his opinion on the other games. I have the choice between a solid move and a slightly risky attacking move. Because our prospects are not that positive, I decide on the latter. Otherwise I probably would have chosen for the solid continuation, but I act in interest of the team. So the team influences my play and maybe my rating, but a tournament standing could have influenced it as well. Some may find this horrible, but I like a team match because of these decisions. This exactly is the difference between a team game and an individual game. When my team wins, I am happy (even when I lost myself – although sometimes this can be a bit difficult). On the other hand, decisive wins from a totally lost position are my personal best memories of chess.

When the match is over, we have dinner and some drinks in town. For me, the social impact of a match is important. I am enjoying my student life quite intensive and as a consequence I spend little time on studying and playing chess. Team matches give me the opportunity to keep in contact with my old friends and to see them regularly. The special circumstances in team matches connect me to my fellow players and that is how they became friends. I doubt that I would still be a chess player without these team matches.

Perhaps there is an assumption (primarily out of Europe) that there is not much of a chess culture in the U.S., but there is quite a history of events and people are typically passionate about team chess and there are all types of gimmicks including best team name… costumes are outrageous as well.