10.17.16 The newest addition to the United States Professional Chess League is the Miami Champions. Former Maine player and coach Steve Abrahams is Co-Managing the team with his business partner Bryan Tillis. We caught up with Steve to ask him about this new venture and his multi-faceted involvement in chess.

ChessMaine: Congratulations on your new position as Co-Manager of the Miami Champions. First off, can you tell us a bit about the PRO Chess League--how teams are formed and what the season looks like?

Steve Abrahams: The new and improved PRO Chess League is brand new for 2016. Each team may consist of 10 player rosters (more may be added during the season). The rosters are made up of "Local" players as well as international "Free Agents." Each week we must field a team of 3 Locals and 1 Free Agent from anywhere in the world and our rating average must be below 2500. Anyone may approach Greg about forming a team, however only the most competitive teams will be approved. Our season lasts January-March and will be played on chess.com and broadcast live on chess.com/tv

CM: How did you get selected to co-manage this team?

SA: The Miami Sharks of the United States Chess League (USCL) were previously Florida's Professional Chess Team. They dissolved after the USCL changed to the PRO Chess League this year. Co-Manager & Life Master Bryan Tillis and I had worked with Chess.com's Vice President IM Danny Rensch & the League Commissioner Greg Shahade on some projects before and us taking the team over was essentially a "no-brainer" for both parties.

CM: Some of the players are quite accomplished players like GM Baadur Jobava and GM Jon Speelman to name just two. How does recruiting work and how are players compensated?

SA: We are extremely excited to have 6 players on our roster with peak ratings over 2600 FIDE. Essentially we approached many GM's individually and discussed the possibility with them of joining our team. The toughest part was taking into account the possible time difference for European players. Bryan and I have put up a sum of money to help fund the team but we are also seeking private donors to help as well. We have setup a gofundme site: www.gofundme.com/chessteam to help supplement our costs as we receive no upfront costs from the league itself. Every dollar helps!

CM: I understand that the League recently announced that League games will now be played on Chess.com. Can you comment on this change of format?

SA: The new PRO league will be played via online games. Local players must live within 2 hours of our home base (Miami) and Free Agents may be from anywhere in the world. We are super excited as chess.com anticipates weekly viewership over 50,000 people!

CM: Chess fans all over the world are becoming accustomed to high-quality coverage of events that include online commentary, multiple board windows, and a livestream video feed. How does the League broadcast its games and what are plans to appeal to a wider audience?

SA: Chess.com is amazing when it comes to production. The exact setup of weekly games has yet to be announced however I anticipate that they will be produced very similarly to the "Blitz Battle" live matches that have occurred lately. There will also be cross-platform integration with Social Media, Website Blog, & Chess.com Recaps that will attract anyone interested in seeing high-level chess.

CM: All the best with the season! We wish you good luck in your new position and hope you will be back in Maine at some point.

SA: Thanks so much! I would love to come back someday and finally win the state championship that seemed to be only tournament win to escape me. I can say that this website, and the support for chess with Maine's chess organization and tournaments, are on par with if not better than any that I have been a part of across the country.

For more details on the PRO Chess League or the Miami Champions visit: www.miamichampions.org

Please consider visiting www.gofundme.com/chessteam to help support Steve & Bryan's Team.