This is a very nice talk with Svilen from Bulgaria, because he has almost the same background as me (he studied computer science at the university) and maybe because he's one of the oldest student at KBC he told me many things I completely agree about the studies here, South Korea, and many other topics. We had very interesting games and, even if I usually won the games, I think he improved a lot at the end and the last games we had he was always in the game and made me fear a recovery.

Leonardo: What about you and your life besides go?
Svilen: I'm Svilen Pavlov, 25 years old from Svishtov, small city in the Danube River in Bulgaria. I studied and I've a Bachelor Degree in Informatics in my town. I worked in my University for 2 years as a programmer and system administrator and support. Then I moved to Sofia to get a better job. I like to read books, I'm interested in martial arts, eastern philosophy and science.

Leonardo: How did you start to play go and how is your go life?
Svilen: I learned go 10 years ago at school thanks to a presentation by the actual Bulgarian Go Association chairman. He brought some go sets in the library of the school and then I started to play with other students. After a few months he invited me and other kids to a club in another school, and he gave me some books to improve. The meeting was almost every week and we were 3-5 students, 2-3 from University and 2 teachers. After a couple of years, the club closed become the students finished the courses. After that I only played at the Bulgarian Championship, and the first time I was second. To study I replayed many old Shusaku's games. In 2007 I went to Japan to World Amateur Go Championship: I was sent as 5k but the Japanese said I'm 1k and I got 2 wins. It's almost 2-3 years I play few games a year. In the last two years I placed 6th in the Bulgarian Championship. My actual rank is 1k.

Leonardo: Tell me about your adventure at KBC and in South Korea
Svilen: The chairman of the Bulgarian Go Association told me about KBC and he asked me if I'd like to go. My father told me he will help me for the money, so I decided to come. The school is great, but maybe for stronger players. I think I lack a lot of basic, so something is difficult. We made a lot of problems, and maybe more lectures are needed. I also like the schedule that give us the chance to review professional games. Teachers are good and friendly, and they really want to help us and make us improve. This school's place is good and appropriate, less distractions, more time, but a little bigger store would be nice. I had a really good time here, we visited many parks, the people are very good, and also stronger players always comment my mistakes after the game: I'll miss them a lot. I like Korea, the Koreans are friendly, they like foreigners, and they try to know us even if they speak just a little bit of English. I also enjoyed Chiaksan and the beach, I like to visit the country I'm in. I think I've improved: maybe the most important thing I learned is how to study, but also many advices on the parts of the game.

Leonardo: Plans for the future
Svilen: I've to go back home, but my plan is to continue studying even if I work. I'd like to come back here if it's possible to the Korean Prime Minister Cup this year. My idea would be to try to study go possibly in China and in Japan to understand the differences and the style, and also because I'm interested in their culture. My goal is to become stronger but not a professional player, also because I've to leave my country for many years and because I won't be easy to be a professional in my country and I don't think I'd like to live in Korea/Japan/China. I really like the game so I'd like to understand it better, and I really want to teach and expand the go in Bulgaria because we don't have a lot of players. About my job, I'm planning to start my own activity but I've still to see if it will be possible. My goal is to win the Bulgarian Go Championship, and I would really like to visit some European Go Congress, meet people and have fun and develop go in Europe.