Meet the Team
2018 Pittsburgh Pawngrabbers Roster
GM Alexander Shabalov
Local Player, Rating: 2563
GM Alexander Shabalov returns for a second year with the Pittsburgh Pawngrabbers. Known for his tactical style of play, "Shaba" provides the fireworks from Board 1. Alex is a 4-time US Champion, 7-time US Open winner, and a US Chess Hall of Fame inductee.
GM Awonder Liang
Free Agent, Rating: 2545
Has anyone ever had a better rookie season than Awonder? The 2017 US Junior Chess Champion has consistently been one of the PRO Chess League's highest scorers, with wins over Nakamura, Caruana, and other top players.
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IM Tuan Minh Lê
Free Agent, Rating: 2489
Known as "wonderfultime" on chess.com, the 2015 Vietnamese Chess Champion made his debut for the Pawngrabbers on Super Saturday. His aggressive style make him a strong free agent for the Pawngrabbers.
IM Atulya Shetty
Local Player, Rating: 2403
Michigan's highest rated player, Atulya Shetty, has been an anchor for Pittsburgh from Board 3. The University of Michigan student won both the 2012 Denker Tournament and the 2013 K-12 SuperNationals.
NM Mika Brattain
Local Player, Rating: 2381
The 2015 Massachusetts State Champion joins Pittsburgh after playing for the Columbus Cardinals in 2017. Mika's experience and solid play makes him a strong Board 4 option for the Pawngrabbers.
IM Safal Bora
Local Player, Rating: 2363
Halfway through his rookie season, this University of Michigan student has shown himself to be a strong Board 4 option for the Pawngrabbers. In 2013, Safal tied for first in the Denker Tournament, earning his IM title in the same year.
FM Edward Song
Local Player, Rating: 2319
After playing for Pittsburgh last year as a Free Agent, Edward Song joins this year's roster as a local player. Ed won the 2017 K-12 SuperNationals, and gives Pittsburgh another strong line-up option.
FM Jennifer Yu
Local Player, Rating: 2279
Jennifer Yu became the first ever female player to play for the Pittsburgh Pawngrabbers this year with her debut against the Minnesota Blizzard. In 2014, she won a gold medal in the U12 Junior Girls Chess Championships.
Inactive Players: FM Mark Heimann, FM Gabriel Petesch, NM David Itkin, NM Grant Xu
General Managers: Isaac Steincamp and Beilin Li