Please introduce yourself briefly. Name, Age, where you're from, what you're are doing these days and what are some of your hobbies?
My name is Vakhtang, I'm 21 years old. I'm from St. Petersburg. I'm trying to do what most people of my age are trying to: stuyding in university and trying to earn some money in any way possible.

When did you start playing StarCraft, why did you keep playing it and what caused you to become so good at it?
Started playing around 2002; hard playing since 2003. I dreamed to go WCG Grand Final so much. I have some free time for this game, so I'm playing. And I'm well-motivated before each WCG. Can't say anything about my goals... It just happened.

Did you decide to play Terran right away or when did this happen? Were you a natural at it or did you train hard? Which do you think is more important (training or talent)? How do your friends react to you playing?
I started playing Zerg, then switched to playing Terran ... "professionally". I don't think I was born to play them. They were born for me. I don't think talent is so important. Every player who's playing StarCraft well can reach the same level in other things, if he'll practice the same way. You should just want to do this. No one is against me playing StarCraft. Especially my friends. What's wrong? I'm going to WCG for the 4th time.



You've been in WCG three times already and recently qualified for the fourth time. Tell us a little bit about this qualifier. Were you surprised Notforu won?
I was not thinking much about it. Second place is enough for me. I don't need to prove anything to anyone - I was just playing. I don't like to compare my current results with past ones. But I didn't play too well in the final.

You have a very prominent WCG career behind you (and in front of you), crowned with reaching the quarterfinals in 2005. Do you have any especially fond memories from past WCGs? Have there been times when you wished you prepared more?
Yeah, we played a lot in 2005 with Androide, especialy Terran vs Terran match up... We had a great TvT, can't say the same about TvP or TvZ. Sure, I could play TvZ, but I my TvT was the strongest, then my TvP in second and I got a Zerg opponent. I've even thought I'll play vs Pj, and when he chose Zerg, I was terribly shocked: "omg, what to do? How should I play?" I'd already lost the game in my mind. I wish I had 5 minutes before he chose zerg, and I could try to win this way!! These days I have no best match up, I don’t like/hate any special strategies – I’m the one who’s responsible for my losses, when I’m not concentrated, thinking about something else…

For having done so well, over a long period of time, did you ever consider trying StarCraft as a career? Playing it full time in Korean for example? Did you ever get any offers or interest?
Sure, I thought about it. First time I wanted to try was in 2005. I was not offered anything – they have enough skilled players theirselves, maybe only for some additional advertisemenet, using my non-asian look. And my contract would mean a lot: for example I won’t even raise a finger for 10.000 USD :)))



The ASUS tournaments seem to be a big attraction for the Russian players and you've been to many of them and done well in most of them, topped with a second place in ASUS Autumn 2006. What is it that attracts all the great Russian players to these LANs? Is it the prizes or meeting up with the other players? Can you tell us a little bit about these events and how you have experienced them?
I don’t think a friend-meeting attracts players. Whatever they say everyone is going to show up, to prove himself or prove something to other people, and everyone also hopes to win some prize. As for my goals – I can’t remember them all now, tho I have a lot of trophys from ASUS for example.

You have been in a lot of clans throughout the years. Rif, aFz, iP, RoX, TmG, iG and S2 to mention some. Is there any particular reason for the swapping around? Please tell us a little bit about each clan and what they meant to you.
Yes, I have a reason: money for example – not too much, but at least something for nothing. Every team gave me something special, unforgettable. I’d like to make a special mention of Infernal Gamers – I really loved that team… iG.BingBong yo, peace!

From what I can understand you are good friends with Androide and you also practice quite a bit together. Tell us a little bit about that. Who do you prefer to practice with and who would you like to face at WCG?
Androide and I started to practice for the Singapore Grand-Final in 2005, then we played together before WCG Russia 06 – we’ve got first two places, but as you can remember – spoiled everything in our groups. I’m playing with everyone, I don’t think about “he’s better than him” – just playing and all. After WCG Italy I realized, that I have to do my best in every way possible. Though I’m trying to follow the rule, that something is better than nothing. I’m very risky. Especially when you can get a lot, winning with this risk – I will risk it for sure.

Russia has always been a strong Terran nation. There's you, Androide, Advokate and Escape just to mention a few. Other countries seem to have less top tier Terrans. Do you think there's any special reason why Russia is a bit more inclined to play Terran? Does this force you to become a good TvT player?
I can’t explain any reason. I played a lot of TvT’s, coz I understood, that A2 and Androide were the best terrans these times (WCG 2005) – so I don't have the best chances of winning without a strong TvT. Now my opponent’s fame mean nothing for me. I’ll perform the same vs D- or A+ to get the victory!



Back to WCG a bit. The maps this year are Gaia, PA, Azalea and Peaks of Baekdu. Do you like these maps and do you think they favor any race in particular? Will you have any special tactics or strategies on any of these maps?
Nothing special to prepare – maps are well-know, so it’s very hard to surprise anyone. About the match Ups – well it’s quite balanced.

Who do you think will win WCG this year considering Hwasin, Savior and Stork qualified. Who do you think will be the best foreigner and who do you think will be able to give the Koreans a bit of a challenge? How do you rate your own chances and are there any players you really want to avoid?
There’s no one whom I’d like to avoid on WCG. Anyway, there’s no one to pick out – only the best players from all over the world and everyone wants to win. Can’t say Koreans are undefeatable – they can just underestimate their opponents, and whoooops – lose in BO1 :))

Finally, you just got invited to play in the GosuGamers King of the Hill versus Mondragon, are you confident?
I'll be ready for him.


GosuGamers King of the Hill will happen on wednesday 18:00 CET. Stay tuned for more details. Thanks to EX for the interview and to GosuGamers crew member Kirill "Rus_Brain" Patyrykin for doing the translations and helping out in general with this interview.