Interviewing One of My Friends!, ft. @hiryanli
Have you wondered how your friend started to play more chess? Have you wondered how your friend got to the level of chess he/she has reached today? Today, I will ask ten open-ended questions with one of my favourite friends/blogger @hiryanli. He is an amazing person to be friends with and now, to the questions.
Q: "What got you to play chess and more specifically, on chess.com?"
A: "Well, the thing that got me to play chess is when my mom signed me up to be in a chess club. The people there keep beating me there and I got so mad I decided to quit chess. I was 4 at that time. Then about 2 years later, I came across a youtube video made by Eric Rosen, and that inspired me to play chess. I used lichess at first, and then came across chess.com. I decided to try it out and loved it immediately."
Q: "If you could recommend three openings to beginners (for either color), which three and why?"
A: "As white, English and Reti. As black: Caro Kann."
Q: "As white, do you prefer a King's pawn game or a Queen's pawn game?"
A: "I prefer Queens Pawn because for e4, you have too many variations to handle. If Queens Pawn, you can always play the solid London System.
Q: "To add on, is there another opening that comes from the Queen's Pawn that isn't the London System?"
A: "Queen's Gambit I guess."
Q: "Did you self-teach yourself to play chess where you are currently, or did you take lessons?"
A: "Self teach. Gothamchess helps me a lot."
Q: "What's your current goal as a chess player? Possibly provide a pathway to your goal."
A: "Well, just to be a 2000 rated player. Don't have a pathway though lol"
Q: "If you could pick one chess streamer to be your chess coach, who would it be?"
A: "Gothamchess or (aka) Levy Rozman."
Q: "Imagine you're Magnus Carlsen and assume that Fizrouja wins the Candidates. As Carlsen, would you accept or decline the challenge of Fizrouja challenging you (Carlsen) as World Champion?"
A: "Yes, I would want to beat him [Fizrouja]."
Q: "Do you prefer online chess or OTB chess and your reasonings?"
A: "Online. It is way easier to play."
Q: "What is your least favourite chess opening as any color and why?"
A: "Sicilian. I never know what to do."
Q: "Finally, your club has recently reached 200 members. How does it feel?"
A: "OK you should know the answer to this. I feel very proud that King Of 64 since it is a huge accomplishment for me. A 200 member club in 1 month. I feel heart-warming as well."
That was the interview with @hiryanli. You should probably friend and follow him, totally worth it. Here's the inspiration for this blog: https://www.chess.com/blog/hiryanli/interview-with-lightningThanks again Ryan for accepting my interview request, make sure to check out his blog and his club, they're both great and win your games!
- Ryan 
