The King of Daily Matches in our club

Happy Easter! Dear friends, don't miss this wonderful interview! My family and I spoke with @waspet, a great friend of the community.

He's a friend and loyal member of the club with the most daily matches won (241+ points), and he's been the top daily match player for two seasons. He joins our activities and adds his personal touch. He enjoys participating in club events, plays in practically all the daily matches with great commitment, and is an active member socially (private messaging, forums, blogs).

Part One of the 10-question interview more 2 questions to close

1. How did you discover chess? Who taught you?
My dad taught me how to play chess. This was when I was a kid. He showed me how the pieces moved, and we sometimes played at home at a basic level. I gained my real chess experience when I started working at a company. There were several colleagues there who were very knowledgeable in the game, and we spent a lot of free time at the chessboard. And I had a huge desire to 
beat them. The next stage in my skill development came with the advent of 
computer chess and then chess websites. 

2. What was the first tournament you won? Do you remember that feeling?
I didn't have the opportunity to participate in offline tournaments. But my 
first victories in tournaments on various chess websites always brought me joy. They motivated me to continue studying the game, increased my adrenaline levels, and improved my self-esteem.

3. Of all the opponents you've faced, is there one you remember with particular fondness or admiration?
Among my rivals, I always remember with gratitude my colleague, with whom I became friends through chess. It's a shame he's no longer alive. He was a true chess fanatic and taught me to love the game.

4. Which game were you most proud of, even if it wasn't perfect?
A relative of my wife's came to visit us, and he considered himself a very experienced chess player. He even bought himself a very expensive, hand-crafted chess set and often boasted that he had no equal among his friends. We sat down to play, and I won the game. My opponent didn't believe me, saying it was a fluke. 
The second game ended even faster, and I won. Then I started giving him hints and allowing him to make different moves when he made mistakes. But he still didn't win. My relative was offended, and we never played chess again.

5. What do you like most about chess?
 It's hard to pinpoint one specific reason why I love chess. There are many: from the mundane, such as developing concentration, memory, thinking, and perseverance, to the even more mundane, such as having a good time, socializing, and enjoying competition.

Part Two of the Interview

6. There were times when chess meant something different to you, perhaps a refuge or a special motivation. Do you remember any such moments?
Honestly, there were times when chess didn't motivate me, but rather interfered with my life and work. It's like a drug addiction, or, more accurately, a gambling addiction. My family wasn't getting enough attention due to hours-long online tournaments (including late-night ones), and work was secondary. This even led to recriminations and arguments.

7. What can you tell us about your training? What is your favorite club on 
chess.com?
In my opinion, training in the true sense of the word is only necessary for achieving any kind of sporting results, such as winning a title or winning tournaments with cash prizes. I play for fun, and my level of knowledge is sufficient. The higher my rating, the stronger my opponents will be, 
but that doesn't add to the enjoyment of the game. Like many chess enthusiasts, I constantly solve chess problems and watch educational videos on openings and traps. 
Sometimes, using Chess.com's algorithms, I analyze my games to avoid repeating the mistakes I made.

8. Has chess taught you anything that you've applied outside of the club, in your daily life?
There are people who act first and think later. But I have a different personality: I think through every action in advance. I first consider all possible options, taking into account the consequences of my actions. And I carry out my planned work only when I am confident of a positive outcome. It's like chess.

9. If you could give one piece of advice to someone who is just starting out, what would you say?
Life is short. Don't put off your development. Young people often say, "After I finish school, I'll start..." or "When I find a job, then I'll start...." But it will be too late. Other problems and concerns will arise: family, children, hard work, health issues. You can't turn back time. Few people learned to play chess as adults. Most outstanding athletes began playing their sport as children. Artists and musicians developed their skills during their school years. The main thing is not to be lazy, and the results will surely please you over time.

10. And this question is from me, as a friend: what would you say to someone who is going through a difficult time and is looking for the strength to keep going?
Difficulties always come to an end. All trials are temporary. If you have the support of loved ones, this stage of life passes even easier and faster. And sometimes difficult events become the beginning of something important. One wise man said, "Difficulties are not walls, they are steps. Sometimes we think we're at a dead end, but in reality, we're just climbing a steep climb." It's in difficult moments in life that strength is born within us that we never even dreamed of, and our will and character are forged. The main thing is to keep going, to rise from our knees, and to move forward toward your bright future.

The questions to close the interview

11. What physical activity do you do? Do you particularly enjoy any particular activity?
In my youth, I loved playing football. I devoted a lot of time to it, whether it was training or competing. I was also a good table tennis player and even won tournaments organized by the organization where I work. Now my health doesn't allow me to play sports. The only thing left is physical therapy to maintain my back. I try to ride my bike more, giving up driving. I also do physical labor at work and in the garden. I don't consider myself an ardent fan or supporter of any particular team; I can root for the national team in any sport.

12. Of everything we've discussed, is there any question you wish I had asked you that I didn't? Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Thank you for your attention. I find it very difficult to express my thoughts through the translator. It greatly distorts the essence of what I write. I have to go over the words several times to find the correct translation. But it was still a pleasure talking. And I apologize if I wrote something incorrectly.

Friend, Thank you very much!

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