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!!Takapotku tournament 2003\\''The time for men of iron, stones of glass.''

[Takapotku tournament in finnish|Takapotkuturnaus2003]

''And thus the men (and women, for there were some) crawled from under their rocks, where they had been leading a hermit life studying the games of Shusaku. They walked in great numbers towards the northern city of Helsinki, for the time of the Gathering had come. They all knew that in the end, there could only be One...''

Welcome to the 1st annual Takapotku Tournament!

;__Time__: 15th and 16th February 2003.
;__Place__: Helsinki, Karhunpesä.
;__Type of tournament__: No handicap, 7 points komi, [MacMahon].  Playing time per player is 70 minutes and 10s (non-Canadian) [byo-yomi].
;__Tournament fee__: Probably 10 euro, confirmation later.
;__Prizes__: First, second, and third prizes will be given.  Also, the already legendary "Vastahankapalkinto" will be given again, using the well-known secret criteria.

Tournament referee will be Olli Lounela, 3 dan.  Main organisator-slash-culprit is [Janne "Dr." Jalkanen|Janne Jalkanen] and his aide [Jari "Igor" Koivikko|JariKoivikko].

For questions and comments, please contact the undersigned at [jalkanen@cc.hut.fi|mailto:jalkanen@cc.hut.fi] or by phone, +358-50-547 6463.  If you are calling from somewhere ''really'' far away, please note that we are at GMT+2 hours here.

__Schedule__

||Saturday, 15 Feb|| 
| 1. round                             | 10.00
| ''lunch (normal)''                   | 13.00
| 2.  round                            | 14.00
| 3. round                             | 17.00
| ''lunch (liquid)''                   | 20.00+
||Sunday, 16 Feb|| 
| 4. round                             | 10.00
| ''lunch (if able)''                  | 13.00
| 5. round                             | 14.00
| Prizegiving                          | 17.00 

----

!!FAQ

!Registration

Registrations will be done to [registrationlist|TakapotkuIlmottautumisLista]. Only 30 strongest players will be accepted due limited space available. Reserve list will be used in case of late cancellations.

!30 ''strongest?'' Whatthe...

Certainly. This is reasonable, but it takes a bit of explanation. In last decade and a half, there has been a lamentable lack of non-handicap tournaments in Finland. Up until very recently, there has not been the slightest hope for anything else, and hence Takapotku. To make it as interesting as possible for the participants, we want to make the tournament as strong as remotely possible, so here we are.

This does not mean we'd overlook inconveniences like coming from abroad or from Lapland, most especially for foreigners. We're fully prepared to make exceptions and priorize those from far away for participation. __Coming from far, far away is a sure way to participate, regardless of the strength limits or preliminary registrations.__ Tournament organizers reserve every right to do this.

Not only that. We're still prepared to increase the number of allowed participants upon need, by changeing the tournament venue (we're running late here, but it's remotely possible) or by overflowing some of the games to nearby pubs (no lack of volunteers, we're sure; this is Finland after all.)

Not only that, the registration via Wiki will close at latest an hour before the ferry to Helsinki leaves Stockholm, so everything should be well in hand.  Apart from surprise foreigners, we're not sure we will allow any major registration at tournament venue. The Finns have been told to beware.

!Really, only registration in advance?

It's not as unresonable as it might sound at first. It gives predictability, and it allows for very short preparation time before the first round. While last minute registrations will be scorned upon, any good excuses will be favourably looked at.

!What's this about even komi? Why?

Yep. Let's try this exciting change. We are not afraid of jigos, are we? :-)

!I am coming from Stockholm/London/Japan/Vantaa/really far away.  Is there any possibility for accommodation?

Please contact [Janne Jalkanen] well beforehand, and we'll see if we can arrange some cozy rooms for you.