Heikki Markku Julius Westerinen is a Finnish chess Grandmaster (GM). Born in 1944 in Helsinki, he has been a significant figure in the chess world since he earned the title of International Master (IM) in 1967 and subsequently the GM in 1975.
Westerinen achieved numerous successes over his career. He won the Finnish Championship six times between 1965 and 1985. He also represented Finland in 15 Chess Olympiads from 1962 to 2000. He has participated in 12 Interzonal tournaments, more than any other player in history.
In 1964, Westerinen took first place in the 2nd World Junior Championship in Barcelona, and he also won the Scandinavian Junior Championship in 1965. Throughout his career, he stood victorious in several other international tournaments including Reykjavik (1976), Gausdal (1983) and Cappelle-la-Grande (1986).
Still active in 2021, Westerinen continues to play in the Bundesliga, the premier league in German chess. He is also participating in the Senior World Championships, strongly securing his position in the top ten in both the over 65 and over 70 categories.
Over the years, he’s earned a reputation for his innovative style and is known for exploring non-standard opening systems and often surprises his opponents with speculative sacrifices. As well as being a professional chess player, Westerinen is a published author and his booklet "Yhdistyneen Kuningaskuntalaisen Käsikirja" (Handbook of a British Citizen) was widely acclaimed.
Overall, Westerinen's exceptional prowess and long gameplay career have made him a notable and respected figure in global chess.