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Tommi has been working hard and supplementing his chessboxing classes with the Finnish Chessboxing Club (FCC) by training in his local boxing gym. Tommi has had experience in performance but nothing like chessboxing and he isn’t planning to upstage his opponent Toto who is know for his big introductions. Tommi is planning something but we’ll have to wait and see what he comes up with in December.
Tommi is training in Helsinki and advises the Finnish government on how to manage unemployment in the country and get people back to work. He has been taking boxing classes for 5 years and he saw a poster in his boxing gym about chessboxing. During the COVID 19 pandemic he started playing chess like many people and then he got in contact with FCC and fell in love with the sport. Tommi and Gavin reminisce about the event held in Helsinki in 2021 which was a huge success.
Tommi is aware that his chess level is considerably lower than Anthony “Toto the Robot” Bourached and he will be working hard to improve his chess as well as effect his chess by winning the boxing. Team member Otto ‘Bismark’ Vihera was able to knockout Toto within a few seconds and he will be advising Tommi on how to handle Anthony in the ring. The pod discusses how Shayan ‘Shah’ Zarein Dolab was able to land a number of overhand rights. Anthony’s defence has been found wanting so this could be Tommi’s chance to gain an edge in the bout.
Will Tommi try to play and unusual opening in order to avoid any well known lines? The pod discuss how Matt Read uses the Orangutang opening to off balance his opponent. However, Tommi is not planning to gamble on this and keep his opening solid, slow the chess down so that he can effect the bout using his boxing. Tommi wants to avoid a situation where he has lost the chess game in the first round just as Otto did before him.
Tommi’s coach Ray gave Tommi the moniker “TNT”, Tommi is hopeful that it was because he is explosive! He will also be coming out to the AC DC song T.N.T. so that he can get some energy from the crowd. However, he’s not going to perform the song himself.
Tommi has been helping Gavin with his social media work and he used to work for one of the biggest social media firms in Finland. They also talk about VR and how boxing is available on the platform as a work out. Could chessboxing ever be streamed in VR?
Are the Botez sisters stalking Tommi? They did a chess stream with them in Helsinki and they also played agains the FCC. The FCC trains every Saturday from 3pm (link under). No experience necessary other than knowing the rules of chess.
What is Tommi’s favourite chocolate bar? Tommi has a message for Anthony, “It’s not how you get into the ring it’s how you leave it that counts.” Tommi will have his hands up when he leaves the ring.
Finnish Chessboxing Club: https://www.facebook.com/shakkinyrkkeily
Botez Sister: https://www.youtube.com/c/BotezLive
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