Svetoslav Chimev: The Ultimate Quiz Master
This spring, our colleague Svetoslav Chimev from Fintua reached an outstanding milestone on the Bulgarian National Television quiz show Последният печели / Last One Standing, achieving 20 consecutive wins and securing the prestigious “Всезнайко” (Quiz Master) trophy. This achievement places him among just four participants in the show’s history to reach this level - a remarkable recognition of his consistency, knowledge, and passion for quizzing.
A long-time quiz enthusiast, Svetoslav also shares his love for trivia beyond the screen, organising weekly quiz nights every Monday at the Golden Sheep Pub in Varna.
Deeply impressed by his never-ending curiosity, we caught up with Svetoslav to learn more about his experience on national television, his preparation, and passion about quizzing
Congratulations on achieving 20 consecutive wins on Last One Standing – what does this achievement mean to you personally?
Thank you! As an avid fan of all kinds of games and quiz competitions, Last One Standing was the perfect platform for me to put my knowledge and skills to the test. Achieving 20 consecutive wins on the show has been incredibly rewarding on a personal level. It certainly wasn't easy – the journey was long and challenging, but I genuinely enjoyed every step along the way.
I would like to thank all my family, friends and colleagues who followed my journey on national television every evening for almost a month. Their heartfelt messages and encouragement meant a great deal to me, and I'm delighted that they were able to share at least a small part of the excitement I experienced in the studio.
What touched me most was hearing that some people watched the show together with their children, celebrated every correct answer and cheered me on as one big team. 😊
What do you think was the key to your success on the show?
Winning my first game felt like crossing a major milestone that I had been determined to achieve for a long time. It gave me the confidence and peace of mind I needed, and from that point on, I was simply able to enjoy the experience.
The key elements behind my success were concentration, intuition, a reliable memory and the ability to recover and reset after each game. Some of my opponents said that taking part in the show meant stepping outside their comfort zone. My biggest advantage was that, for me, competing in a quiz show was actually my comfort zone.
You've been passionate about quiz competitions since 2009 and even organise weekly quiz nights in Varna. What first sparked your interest in this type of game?
The answer is simple – curiosity. I heard from friends that a pub in Varna was hosting quiz nights, and it immediately sparked my interest. I gathered a team of fellow enthusiasts, and we went along to see what it was all about. From that moment on, quizzes became an integral part of my life.
For many years, I was solely a participant and competitor. However, at one point, I decided it was time to move to the other side and start asking the questions myself because, as immodest as it may sound, I realised that I had a real talent for it.
What makes a good quiz player, and what advice would you give to people who want to improve their performance in quiz competitions?
A good quiz player should have a broad curiosity and an interest in as many different areas of knowledge as possible. When taking part in a quiz, it also helps to build a team with people who have diverse interests and complementary strengths.
What are quiz nights all about? They are an entertaining and engaging form of intellectual fun, where there is no real risk of embarrassment. Instead, they offer the chance to spend quality time with friends, challenge yourself, and learn fascinating facts about the world around us.
Give it a try – you won’t regret it! 😊
.png)
