In a candid January 2026 interview, 2700-level chess prodigy Awonder Liang reflects on his unique journey from a teenage sensation to a serious competitor while balancing a degree in economics and applied math. Liang challenges the notion that elite chess requires sacrificing a normal life, arguing that at the low 2700s, massive gains are still possible through fundamentals and doing what you enjoy. Read the full interview for his fascinating insights into chess and what drives his journey. Photo: Lennart Ootes