Having taken great strides in 2008, finshing only a half a point out of the Playoffs after two seasons with little success, the Tempo were clearly aiming higher for 2009, not only retaining 2008 All Star GM Jaan Ehlvest for their roster again, but also GM Alex Shabalov as well, giving Tennessee firepower they'd never been able to showcase before.

     Things started according to plan, with Tennessee winning their first match and having a fifty percent score after four matches.  After that though, no breaks could seem to go their way, losing match after match by the narrowest of margins and eventually finshing in a position which has unfortunately become too familiar to them.

     Like most teams whose dreams were left unfullfilled this season, the Tempo still had some definite bright spots, most notably FM John Bick, who scored four wins and one draw in his first five games, a huge part of the Tempo's very solid early season.  He, along with Ehlvest, both of whom have turned in some great results should provide Tennessee with something very concrete to build on for the future which will allow them at long last to become a Playoff team soon.