From Yahya Kemal to the FIDE World Cup: Anton Zlatkov’s Chess Journey

At Yahya Kemal College, student success is shaped through talent, dedication, guidance, and the courage to pursue ambitious goals. In a special interview conducted by Ina Ilievska, Yahya Kemal College student and rising chess talent Anton Zlatkov shared his inspiring journey from an early interest in logic and mathematics to qualifying for the FIDE World Cup.

Yahya Kemal College continues to highlight student stories that reflect not only academic growth, but also discipline, perseverance, and international achievement. As part of this effort, student interviewer Ina Ilievska sat down with Anton Zlatkov, a Yahya Kemal College student and talented young chess player, for an inspiring conversation about chess, education, motivation, and personal development.

The interview focused on Anton’s early introduction to chess, the role of family and school support, the discipline behind tournament preparation, and the mindset required to compete at a high international level. Anton explained that his interest in chess began with a natural love for logic games and mathematics. He shared that solving mathematical problems as a child helped him develop the kind of thinking that later connected strongly with chess.

According to Anton, chess became more than a game after he joined the Gambit chess club, where Professor Orce Danchevski encouraged him to continue and helped him develop a deeper passion for the sport. In the interview, Anton explained that this support played an important role in helping him “fall in love with the game of chess.”

A School Environment That Supports Talent

One of the strongest points of the interview was Anton’s reflection on the role of Yahya Kemal College in his development. He emphasized that the school helped him balance academic responsibilities with chess training and tournaments. During competitions and training periods, he was supported in managing assignments and tests, which allowed him to focus on chess without unnecessary stress.

Anton also recalled that Yahya Kemal was among the schools that introduced chess as an elective subject. He explained that he started engaging with chess at Yahya Kemal Elementary School and that this environment motivated him to improve further. He also expressed his belief that chess should be represented more widely in schools because it supports logical thinking and can help students in subjects such as mathematics.

Interview Highlights

Ina Ilievska: When did your interest in chess first begin?

Anton explained that his interest started when he was very young. Logic games and mathematics attracted his attention first, and chess felt similar because it required problem-solving, planning, and structured thinking.

“Since I was little, I had an interest in logic games and mathematics.”

He shared that this early interest eventually led him to chess, and after joining the Gambit chess club, he became even more motivated to continue seriously.

Ina Ilievska: Did your family support your chess journey?

Anton shared that his first experiences with chess began at home. Before joining a chess club, he played with his grandfather Georgi. After he began showing talent, his family supported his development and helped him take the next steps. His father also helped him learn strategies and improve his understanding of the game.

This family support, combined with school encouragement, helped create a strong foundation for his development as a young chess player.

Ina Ilievska: Was it difficult to balance school and chess?

Anton said that, in general, balancing school and chess was not a major problem because Yahya Kemal College supported him during tournaments and training periods. He explained that this flexibility helped him focus more on chess while continuing his education responsibly.

This part of the interview highlighted one of the key messages of the conversation: when school, family, and personal discipline come together, students can grow in many different areas.

Ina Ilievska: What does chess teach you about winning and losing?

Anton reflected on the emotional side of chess and explained that defeats are an important part of learning. He said that chess, like life, includes both wins and losses. Instead of focusing on one specific defeat, he noted that many difficult moments helped him grow.

He also emphasized that people often see only the winners and the final results, but they do not always see the preparation, training, and effort behind success.

Ina Ilievska: What does preparation look like before tournaments?

Anton explained that serious chess preparation requires many hours of focused work. He mentioned that preparation may include openings, strategies, endgames, and other areas of the game. For him, becoming successful in chess means dedicating significant time and energy to improvement.

This message connects strongly with Yahya Kemal College’s wider educational approach: success is not only about talent, but also about discipline, consistency, and hard work.

Ina Ilievska: How do you handle pressure during important games?

Anton shared that it is normal to feel excited during major competitions, especially when playing against internationally recognized players with high ratings. However, he tries to stay calm by focusing only on the chessboard and avoiding distractions.

He also described the atmosphere of international competitions as inspiring, especially because he had the opportunity to play among grandmasters and players he had admired since he was younger.

Qualifying for the FIDE World Cup

A major highlight of the interview was Anton’s qualification for the FIDE World Cup. He explained that after the tournament, he felt fulfilled and deeply motivated to continue working harder. He added that the achievement gave him confidence and helped him realize that he could compete on equal ground with grandmasters.

This achievement represents an important milestone not only in Anton’s personal journey, but also as a proud student success story for Yahya Kemal College.

Advice for Young Chess Players

At the end of the interview, Anton shared advice for younger chess players. He encouraged them to practice independently, not only with a coach, and to motivate themselves to play more and analyze their games. According to Anton, self-discipline and personal effort are essential for anyone who wants to achieve success in chess.

His message was clear: talent matters, but real progress comes through practice, analysis, and dedication.

A Yahya Kemal Story of Discipline and Ambition

Anton Zlatkov’s interview is more than a conversation about chess. It is a story about how a supportive school environment, family encouragement, personal discipline, and a love of learning can help a student reach international goals.

Through this interview, Ina Ilievska and Anton Zlatkov presented a meaningful example of Yahya Kemal College’s commitment to encouraging students to discover their talents, develop confidence, and aim for success beyond the classroom.

Anton’s journey reminds us that every achievement begins with one move — and at Yahya Kemal College, every student is encouraged to make that move with confidence.