Magixx’s interview: “If the price for winning a major is a bald head, I’m ready!”Exclusive

Following Team Spirit’s qualification for PGL Major Antwerp 2022, Escorenews conducted an in-depth discussion with Boris «magixx» Vorobiev. The young rifler provided comprehensive insights about the reformed CS:GO lineup’s development, challenges faced by the previous roster configuration, and his perspectives on the RMR qualification process and upcoming major tournament.

— It’s been approximately one month since Team Spirit transferred their competitive squads and majority of organizational staff to Serbia. How has the transition process unfolded?

— Our relocation proceeded exceptionally smoothly. The crucial factor is that both my teammates and I maintain full access to competitive practice and systematic training facilities.

— The competitive landscape has shifted significantly: LAN events have resumed operations, yet your training facility now sits hours distant from home territory. Does this geographical separation impact team morale negatively?

— The distance factor doesn’t influence our collective spirit whatsoever.

Competing on LAN provides a fundamentally distinct experience compared to online matchups. After extended periods of digital competition, players often struggle to differentiate between premium tournaments and routine online cups since environmental conditions remain consistently identical, leading to motivational depletion over time.

— Identify several emerging players currently demonstrating exceptional performance capabilities.

— Donk unquestionably represents the premier young talent. I would additionally highlight Get_Jeka alongside ArtFr0st. Both individuals made substantial impressions through their performances, exhibiting outstanding mechanical proficiency. Jeka specifically stands out as arguably the most effective performer within CIS regions for his designated roles!

— Your background includes competitive chess participation. Does the strategic mindset cultivated through chess significantly benefit Counter-Strike gameplay?

— Counter-Strike and chess share certain conceptual parallels: both games fundamentally revolve around countering opposition strategies, though CS inherently contains more situational variability and random elements since certain scenarios cannot be premeditated thoroughly.

— During February, you received removal from FPL — did administrators provide specific reasoning? You previously achieved championship status within that league on multiple occasions.

— Our competitive squad failed to align with any of the four designated player categories established within FPL structure: global top-20 competitors, FPL community representatives, promising young prospects, and veteran star players. Roster modifications caused our ranking elevation to 190th position, resulting in automatic disqualification)

The transition from chess to professional gaming involves adapting strategic thinking to faster-paced environments. While chess emphasizes calculated, methodical planning, Counter-Strike demands rapid decision-making under pressure, making the adjustment challenging yet beneficial for developing comprehensive gameplay intelligence.

— What fundamental distinctions exist between Team Spirit’s current competitive lineup and the previous roster configuration?

— Within our present formation, competitors possess reduced tournament experience, particularly within LAN environments. However, I haven’t identified substantive obstacles that might impede collective development or individual progression. We anticipate soon matching and exceeding the performance benchmarks established by our predecessor squad.

— Your previous competitive tenure included reaching IEM Katowice semifinals, though that accomplishment remained the roster’s primary achievement. What factors contributed to performance stagnation?

— I believe competing organizations simply invested greater effort than our team and executed more effectively, consequently rapidly influencing our collective results.

— A recurring pattern emerged throughout last season: your team establishes commanding leads, yet opponents force map extensions into overtime periods ultimately securing victory (G2 during Blast Showdown, Virtus.pro at Stockholm Major, etc.). Why did these situations persistently occur?

Psychological pressure consistently overwhelmed us during critical moments, repeatedly affecting communication dynamics: strategies we repeatedly practiced during training sessions simply failed operational implementation.

— The organizational psychologist provided substantial support for Dota roster. Does CS:GO contain specific psychological elements that proved challenging for comprehension?

I consider that psychological professionals comprehend CS-specific dynamics and inter-discipline variations, though certain Dota 2 methodologies operate differently within Counter-Strike contexts. Regardless, competitive outcomes remain player responsibilities exclusively, never attribute underperformance to psychological support deficiencies!

— DreamHack Open November 2020, IEM Katowice, Pinnacle Cup — these three tournaments spanning late 2020 through early 2021 witnessed Gambit halting your advancement single steps from championship/final rounds. Consequently, GMB achieved top-1 status. Did you contemplate “our team could occupy their position” during those periods?

— Just on one occasion. Examining Gambit’s competitive trajectory reveals our frequent confrontations against them. Clearly, we possessed potential to assume their competitive standing, but — as observable — Spirit ultimately lost that developmental race.

— The Team Spirit competitive formation subsequently entered inactive status — you expressed readiness for potential replacement. Did this situation trigger performance deterioration?

— Certainly not: roster adjustments become inevitable at certain developmental phases, so why should I experience tilt? Uncertainty primarily stemmed from prolonged anticipation regarding organizational determinations: ultimately, we secured competitive lineup configuration with comprehensive opportunities for systematic improvement and team development!

— How did club management communicate roster modification rationales to players? Are you aware why management retained your position within the squad?

— The necessity for structural modifications became apparent even absent organizational clarification: competitive results communicated requirements autonomously. Why they renewed my contract, I remain uncertain. Nevertheless, organizational confidence feels gratifying. I consistently strive to validate that professional trust.

— The previous roster’s premier performer was mir — HLTV statistical analysis, for instance, positioned him at 23rd placement within annual rankings. Ultimately, Nikolai doesn’t appear within current lineup configuration, remaining competitively inactive. What factors contributed to this situation?

— I’m unaware why Kolya hasn’t secured competitive placement elsewhere currently. However, I anticipate that following Major conclusion, numerous teams will undergo restructuring phases, generating interest in mir’s capabilities.

Kolya represents an elite teammate and extraordinarily skilled competitor. He genuinely demonstrates remarkably advanced technical proficiency) When progressing professionally, I aspire to emulate Kolyan’s competitive excellence!

— What distinguishes coaching methodologies between hally and Certus?

— Both coaches demonstrate substantial strengths professionally. The primary differentiation involves hally employing more tactical approaches. We consistently maintain strategic game plans containing detailed information regarding opponent exploitation methodologies. Certus focused predominantly on executing practiced concepts, lacking adaptation capabilities against opposition strategic variations.

— Patsi and s1ren represent two academy program graduates. What represent their most developed attributes?

— Patsi understands operational methodologies and positional advantages for securing entry frags, executing these actions quite efficiently, constituting essential components within our gameplay framework; additionally, he maintains positive teammate characteristics while preserving productive team atmosphere)

S1ren demonstrated remarkable improvement across four months: his gameplay proficiency advanced substantially. Occasionally I contemplate that his skill development progressed more rapidly than my initial annual progression within Spirit.

— How does a competitive team experiencing 1-2 Swiss record while approaching RMR elimination threshold experience psychologically?

— Our squad recognized that Bo3 matchups would follow, permitting slightly more strategic flexibility. Within Bo1 formats, losing two pistol rounds essentially concedes half the map control: consequently Bo3 configurations definitely provide greater comfort levels for our playstyle. We achieved major qualification because we maintained mutual confidence and belief in our systematic training methodologies.

— Single RMR qualification tournament preceding Major competition — does this represent adequate preparation? What perspectives do you hold regarding qualification structural formats?

— Personally, structural variations create minimal differentiation: competitors simply must demonstrate maximum performance capabilities.

The Swiss tournament system functions acceptably. This format has represented reasonably familiar competitive organization methodology for multiple years currently. The singular problematic element involved first and second placement distribution: one among two teams achieving 3-0 records received additional $20k compensation and rating points without substantial effort) This represents considerable unfairness competitively.

— Insider information suggests Valve will distribute stickers to all major participants this year — does this represent every professional’s aspiration?

— Individual player stickers provide excellent recognition since this methodology enables permanent identification within game environments. Valve maintains complete authority regarding sticker distribution timing, and the corporation cannot receive criticism regarding these determinations since all alternatives remain valid competitively.

— Team Spirit has historically never progressed beyond Challengers stage. Can the current lineup iteration successfully overcome this historical limitation?

— To advance through this competitive phase, teams must secure three match victories. I believe we possess capability for achievement. Success depends entirely upon our collective performance.

Securing Top-8 placement would represent substantial accomplishment for our development. Less than six months have elapsed since this roster’s formation: major tournament performance at this level would demonstrate significant progress indicating our developmental trajectory correctness.

— Yatoro sacrificed hair dedication to Dota deities achieving The International victory. What could you potentially offer CS:GO competitive deities?

— Before RMR qualification, incidentally, I removed dyed hair sections! If major championship victory requires complete baldness, I stand fully prepared!

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