Teemu Topi-Hulmi: The Blitz Endgame Hunter
Profile
Teemu Topi-Hulmi, known online as Ratami, is a Finnish FIDE Master who has made Blitz chess his true battleground. He has competed steadily since 2019, turning a solid foundation into an explosive late-career surge. His peak Blitz rating sits at 2515 (2026-07-28), a testament to his dedication and growing confidence.
While Teemu also plays Daily chess at a 2000 level, Blitz is clearly his home. The fast clock suits his practical instincts, and his record of 247 wins, 196 losses, and 34 draws in Blitz shows a player who is always happy to fight.
Evolution of a Blitz Specialist
Ratami's rating story is one of patience and persistence. He started in 2019 around 1971, cracked 2200 in early 2020, and then spent years trading blows in the 2200 and 2300 range. The breakthrough arrived in 2026, when a high volume of Blitz games pushed him to a new level and a career-best rating.
His longest winning streak reached 14 games, and he is especially dangerous with the white pieces, winning 57.4% of those games. His overall strength adjusted win rate in Blitz is roughly 54%.
Playing Style and Strengths
Teemu is not a quick-resign type of player. His endgame frequency is extremely high at 86%, and his games often stretch deep into the later stages. Wins average around 77 moves and losses around 94 moves, which means he is willing to grind for long stretches. His comeback rate is an impressive 86.45%, making him dangerous even after a setback.
He also has clear time preferences. His best winning hours are around midnight, when the clock pressure seems to sharpen his focus rather than break it. That blend of patience and late-night sharpness makes him a tough out in any Blitz session.
Opening Repertoire
As White, Ratami is a devoted 1.e4 player. He frequently steers play into the Sicilian Defense Closed Variation, where he has scored 57.6% in over 100 games. He also favors the Caro-Kann Defense Exchange Variation and the Czech Defense, showing a preference for rich positional battles over sharp forcing lines.
With Black, he regularly chooses the Sicilian Four Knights, Cobra Variation, and he handles the Closed Sicilian through the Kharlov-Kramnik Line. A typical Ratami game might begin with the following setup:
His opening performance chart shows just how profitable his favorite lines can be.
Online Rivalries
In the busy world of online Blitz, Teemu has built a set of recurring rivalries. One of his most frequent opponents is Coach-Magnus, and Teemu holds the edge in that series with two wins and one loss. Other regular challengers include Martin Holten Fiskaaen and Mikhail Gaydym, players who have helped keep Ratami sharp through countless competitive encounters.