The Predator of the Arenas Live Chess
@spins5mE is a predator, he has 4300+ medals where almost half are 1st place, it is a record here on chess.com
An excellent live chess player with great game vision and the ability to achieve his goals. He participates in all club events, demonstrating great competitiveness. This year, his promising talent has allowed him to reach first place in the Preseason, in the March and April Ranking of the 2026 Weekend Arenas.
Together with @stuvIV, he leads the club's Multiclub team, which battles for 12 hours every Sunday in the Regatta Marathon against the Friends of 241+, a fun and lively event that alternates between Blitz (3 or 5 minutes) and Rapid (10 minutes). He will surely achieve other distinctions, as did @stuvIV (2023), @anafos255 (2024), and @maximgovorukha (2025) in previous seasons.
Part One of the 10-question interview more 2 closing questions
1. How did you discover chess? Who taught you?
My father, he was a National Master (NM). He taught me with several books back then.
2. What was the first tournament you won? Do you remember that feeling?
My first tournament, I was almost expected to win. (Which I did) It was the beginners section, the organizer invited me then, to have a seat and play against the adults and I held my own.
3. Of all the opponents you've faced, is there one you remember with particular fondness or admiration?
For the first time I beat my father, which is hard even at these days to replicate because he is still practicing even not at a competitive state
4. Which game were you most proud of, even if it wasn't perfect?
I beat with my old account an NM who wasn't my father, in a Chess 960 game
5. What do you like most about chess?
So much variety, even if some players like making it the same that's why I like the old players like Jose Capablanca, Mikhail Tal, and Bobby Fischer
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?
It was perhaps an outlet to me, perhaps like me listening to hip-hop or rap. When chess was a special place for me to just relax, even I was making dubious moves.
7. What can you tell us about your training? What is your favorite club on chess.com?
Sadly, I don't train anymore, but when I used to you have to balance it. It's can't just be training period, if you're mind is healthy but your body is lacking movement that's also not good.
8. Has chess taught you anything that you've applied outside of the club, in your daily life?
Hard work pays off!
9. If you could give one piece of advice to someone who is just starting out, what would you say?
Assuming chess - See if you like it or not, don't go through training yet, it's has to come from within.
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?
Have strong connections whether it's in chess, or family or friends stay connected to the people who matter most!
The questions to close the interview
11. What physical activity do you do? Do you particularly enjoy any particular activity?
Playing tennis or basketball. Running doing weights
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?
I think it's was detailed enough
Friend, Thank you very much!
To finish, the specialty of the house of 241+ is to recognize the achievements of its members, obviously I could not miss this opportunity. We decided to recognize him with a "241Award" for his more than 4300 medals, almost half of which are first place; it's a record here at chess.com.
We also invite everyone to challenge their chess limits and be recognized as a "241+ Talent"
More Interview
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