SM Blitz: LauttSSK is now unstoppable

There was a time, not too long ago, when we doubted if we would ever make it to the Master's group. But now, with 3 consecutive appearances, we know for a fact, that the juggernaut of success for the Lauttasaaren Suomalainen Shakkikerho is inevitable.

Yesterday, we achieved a historic moment of success, our highest ever ranking (21st), surpassing our previous best performance by a significant margin. Congratulations to the team of wonderful players and fine gentlemen – 1. Markku 2. Seppo 3. Ashwin and 4. Pekka. Thank you for a memorable tournament together. It was a fine experience!

Day 1

We were seeded as 4th best team based on ratings, and basically achieved a par performance, qualifying quite comfortably in the end despite the usual drama. The most important success factor is to be clinical in beating the weaker opponents.

Team results

1. MatSK 1 (68½ / 76)
2. EtVas 2 (60½)
3. LauttSSK 1 (58½)
4. Pässi 1 (58½)
5. SeinSK 1 (55)
6. VammSK 3 (45½)

Player results

1. Markku (12/19) – 5th best on board 1, which believe it or not is actually slightly below par for Markku's standards!
2. Seppo (16) – 1st (tie) on board 2, Seppo was unstoppable as always. Only 1 loss!
3. Ashwin (15½) – 2nd best on board 3, I did pretty well. Only 2 losses, one of which was to a 1700er.
4. Pekka (15) – 3rd best on board 4, Pekka was exceptional! Great improvements in his time management.

Day 2

Master's group is always tough. The pressure is relentless. It requires immense mental fortitude to keep going up against strong opponents game after game after game. But somehow we managed. We took the blows and kept bouncing back, and in the process we created history for our club!

Team results

1. VammSK 1 (78½ / 96)

2. MatSK 2 (61½) – the team of youngsters did really well!

3. VammSK 2 (61½)

...

21. LauttSSK 1 (35½) – our best ever ranking

22. ESK (34)

23. KäpSK 1 (32½)

24. Tampereen KS-18 (27)

Markku may have had a rusty Day 1 performance, and even a rough start on Day 2, but he soon slipped into gear and showed us all why he is on Board 1.

Seppo the warrior, who has fought many tough battles in his life, and always manages to beat the odds and come up triumphant, was terrific yet again, despite a slightly lackluster final few rounds.

I was steady, and feel moderately satisfied with my performance. I have worked on tactics and other parts of my game, so some improvement was to be expected. But still a lot more work to be done.

Pekka was great, and had some fine wins against pretty tough opponents. A lot of his losses were basically drawn positions where he ran out of time.

Player results

1. Markku (8/23) performance: 2150
2. Seppo (8½) performance: 2102
3. Ashwin (11½) performance: 2153
4. Pekka (7½) performance: 1955

Highlights

• Markku won against Antti Suominen (2122), Lari Linden (2161), Henri Lahdelma (2268), IM Mikael Nouro (2401). He also had commendable draws against Eera Valkoma, Markus Jouhki, Esko-Matti Hakulinen, Antti Virtanen and many more..
• Seppo won against Tuomas Nivala (2287), Antti Koskinen (2168), and a lot of draws against top players like Jyrki Kiltti, Matti Tommiska, Vesa-Pekka Heinola, Petri Hokkanen, Janne Myller, Pedri Houstonen, Mika Ebeling and many more..
• Ashwin won against Niki Pajala (2119), Lauri Hagelberg (2156), Tommi Franssila (2288), Sami Hallenberg (2174), Pekka Pietinen (2074), Janne Mäkinen (2050), Jukka-Pekka Haapasalo (2069), Jukka Johansson (2147), Eetu Prieur (2081). As well as some draws against players like Teemu Keskisarja, Juha Hynninen, Mikko Kivistö and others..
• Pekka won against Juha-Pekka Juhansuu (2183), Lauri Komulainen (2024), Heikki Salo (2146), Juha Riipinen (1968), Aarne Saastomoinen (2113), Mikko Tolonen (2181), and Henrik Jänström (1985).

Memorable Moments for me

• Taking an evening walk with Pekka in the garden and dipping our feet in the cool lake.
• Outdoor lunch with Seppo, discussing deep topics.
• Listening to relationship advice from Markku Henttinen.
• Wonderful and animated discussions in the car towards Lappeenranta on matters ranging from politics to business to sailing and of course, chess.

It was wonderful to play the game we all love, in the best tournament of the year, after so many years. It was nice to relax and just enjoy the chess, the atmosphere, the amazing characters, and the beautiful scenery.