Autum cup 2025 started

The Lauttasaari Autumn Cup (rapid time control) has started with 19 players.

All the matches in the 4 preliminary groups must be played by the end of October. Top 2 of each group will qualify for the cup of 8 players, to be played by the end of December.

Each pair decides together when and where they play their match of the round. Everybody plays 3–4 matches, so it's good to send the first invitations soon. Tournament director Janne Kauppinen will send the contact details to each group.

The rating used in calculating time handicap is the average of the player's classical rating and blitz rating.

More information:

• Cup rules
• Preliminary groups and results

Sauna evening 12.6.2025

LauttSSK sauna evening was held at Lapinlahden Lähde on 12.6.2025. Because of Helsinki Day, sauna was somewhat crowded but nice in any case.

After sauna, 11 players attended the June Grand Prix Blitz tournament at pylvässali on the 3rd floor.

Top results:

1. Ashwin Kumar (9/10)
2. Petr Veselý (8)
3. Antti Suominen (KäpSK, 8)

Photo by Pasi Paasonen

JSM 2025–2026: 1st division

The program of the LauttSSK 1 team (of 8 players) at the Finnish Team Championship (JSM) 2025–2026 1st division, section 2:

• Sun 7.9.2025: LauttSSK–EtVaS
• Sun 28.9.2025: LauttSSK–JoeSK
• Sat 15.11.2025: KymS–LauttSSK (Kotka)
• Sun 16.11.2026: KäpSK–LauttSSK
• Sat 10.1.2026: Pässi–LauttSSK (Helsinki)
• Sat 7.2.2026: LauttSSK – HSC 2
• Sat 14.3.2026: LauttSSK–JärvSK

The matches will be played at Shakkiareena if not mentioned otherwise.

Please register to the JSM tournament on June 29 at the latest:

• Select "IN" at Nimenhuuto.
• In a comment, tell how many matches you are planning to play; for example, 1–2, 3–4, or more.

We will have as many 3rd division teams (of 4 players) as possible, depending on the number of Nimenhuuto registrations.

Last 2 years, we got almost 30 registrants, and were able to register 3 teams to the 3rd division (in addition to the 1 team to the 1st division).

The program of the 3rd division will be published in August.

All players need a chess license, except those who have played at most 10 selo-rated games and play at the 3rd division.

Simul by Antti Suominen

Lauttasaari chess club organized a simultaneous exhibition for beginners at Lauttasaari library on April 12, 2025. Playing as White, a national candidate master Antti Suominen got the result 8 wins and 1 loss (against Patricija Šapokaitė).

The shortest game lasted 1 hour (22 moves), the longest one 2 hours (54 moves).

The participants were "beginners" who have been playing mainly at the library:

• most played now their first classical game.
• 3 played at a simul also in 2023.
• 1 has played 20 games in rated tournaments.

As a comparison, during the last 30 years, Antti has played

• 1.700 rated classical/rapid and
• 1.900 rated blitz games.

The players can analyze their games together with Antti at the library on Monday, April 28, 2025, at 17–20.

The next simul will probably be played in the fall 2025.

Chess Sessions at Pasilan kirjasto

Open chess sessions – perfect for both beginners and players with some experience alike – will be organized at Pasilan kirjasto on next three Thursdays in April.

• Dates: April 10–24, 2025
• Time: 5:30–8:00 p.m.
• Location: Pasilan kirjasto, Kellosilta 9, Helsinki

If you have any questions, please contact Olli-Matti Nevalainen, ollimatti.nevalainen2@gmail.com.