My name is Mika Karttunen and I am from Finland. I am an international chess master with the peak elo rating 2485 and I have one GM-norm. I am 7-times Finnish chess champion and 12-times Finnish blitz chess champion. I have wrote two chess books (in Finnish) and made hundreds of chess videos for my pupils and students. I also have an academic background with master’s degree in Economics.
In year 2011 I founded my company Shakkilinna (Chess Castle in English) in year 2011 (www.shakkilinna.fi). Since then I have been full-time chess professional (chess coach/teacher). Shakkilinna has chess clubs for children and juniors and coaching groups for advanced players. In season 2020-2021 Shakkilinna is active in Tampere, Helsinki and Porvoo. Shakkilinna produces teaching and coaching material from beginners to advanced players. We also have an interactive chess teaching site Avainsiirto (www.avainsiirto.fi) and an active YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/channel/UCQebUVNmlXQ-P9nOxj5KFTw)
My students are usually juniors with various ages. Many of them have won junior Finnish chess championships and few of them have had good results also in international events (gold and pronze medalists in Nordic Championships, gold medalist in European blitz championships.)
IM Mika Karttunen
No compromises! I will teach the style of a winner. Welcome to join the winner’s team! I am also available for training games (with or without analysis).
| Location | Tampere Finland |
|---|---|
| Languages | Suomen kieli |
| Rating | FIDE: 249625232553 |
| Hourly rate | It depends on the chosen coach programme. Send me a message with in details about your goals and purposes, and I will make an offer for you. |
| Availability | Accepting students |
| Active |
About me
Playing experience
I have represented Finland in many international team events since 2000: Olympiad 2000-2018, European team championship 2003-2017, Euro Cup (13 times). Naturally I have also played other international tournaments. I have faced many +2700-elo grandmasters in those competitions and sometimes had very interesting battles against them. In total there are 23 classical time control tournament games against these elite players, and I have had 9 draws against them.
Teaching experience
I have had many personal students and coaching groups during the years. I have worked with adults and different aged children and youngsters. I have coached beginners, club players and already master level players to maximize their potential and get the best possible results in the tournaments.
Other experiences
I have produced lots of material for chess lessons, courses and videos. My company has also an interactive chess site (Avainsiirto), where I have produced hundreds of tasks and puzzles.
Best skills
I know how to make good opening repertoire for the winning player, who likes to take evaluated risks to get his/her opponent out of the balance. I teach you how to choose and play good openings, and handle them with the dynamic way. I have also deep and wide understanding in different kind of positions. I know how to play endgames as well. I find typical and also original ideas in every position, which is very useful for adventurous and creative minded students.
Teaching methodology
I have different kind of coaching methods. The chosen method depends on how much time and effort the student can put on his/her chess. Usually my coaching program is focused on students own games, opening preferences, strengths and weaknesses and so on. In more closely, I give guidance and information, useful tips, opening files and homework.