About me
International champion, author, trainer, judge
Who am I?
My name is Witalis Sapis. I am 59 years old. I have been involved in chess since 1977. I have reached the title of international master. I am also an IA international referee. To pass on my knowledge and experience, I wrote the book “Master Strategy” in 2019. In 2020, its expanded version written with Grandmaster Bartlomiej Macieja was published, as well as the English version “Chess Master’s Startegy”.
I achieved the highest ranking in my career on January 1, 1996, with a score of 2470 points I was then ranked 9th among Polish chess players.
In 1979, I won the title of Polish junior champion in the under-17 category in Radom. I won my second medal, a silver one (in the under-20 category), in 1983 in Katowice. In addition, I was a three-time national champion of elementary and high school students, and won (in 1987 in Bydgoszcz) the title of Polish Army champion. In 1989-1998, I appeared four times in the finals of the Polish senior championships. I achieved my best result in 1997 in Sopot, taking 6th place. I am a multiple medalist at the Polish team championships: twice gold (1986 and 1992), thrice silver (1983, 1987, 1990) and bronze (1993). I also have medals won in instant chess (team medals: gold – 1990 and two bronze – 1991, 1994) and rapid chess (individual medals: silver – 1990 and two bronze – 1992, 1998).
Learn about my philosophy of life
1) “My gut tells me that if you do something worthwhile, you should show it to the world.”
2) “I don’t think I’ll ever take life seriously enough to forget about adventure.”
3) “Avoid people who activate bad qualities in you and surround yourself with those who bring out the best in you.”
4) “Giving up does not always mean you are weak, and sometimes you are strong enough to let go.”
5) “The past is the past. Don’t let it kill you.”
6) “I think you really have to use your sense of humor to survive.”
7) “Real life is a funny thing. In real life, saying the right things at the right time is not crucial.”
8) “In life and love, you learn that there comes a time to let go and move on.”
9) “Happiness and confidence are the nicest things you can wear.”
10) “I am very aware of the path I have chosen in life, and very aware of the path I have not chosen.”
I teach understanding of chess, mainly by learning strategy
In my work I use examples from my parties, which makes the texts original and authentic.
In the near future I will finish work on the book “Master strategy in endings”.
I also plan to publish a second guide “The order of choice of moves” and a few more books for which I am collecting materials.
Additional interesting facts:
1) First tournament game played – Czestochowa 28.10.1977
2) Title of Polish Elementary School Champion – Sopot 13.06.1979.
3) Title of Polish Under-17 Champion – Radom 27.07.1979
4) Personality type – ENFJ-A – protagonist.