For the first round of a new series for CSGO Estonia, we sat down Kevin “HS” Tarn and found out how he started on CS, what’s his go-to plan before a game and what can young players do, to become a pro player.

HS started his career in CS:GO for an Estonian team OnlineBOTS. Since then, he’s been through a Swedish team Publiclir then Rogue and finally ended up on Penta – which is where he first succeeded internationally. Penta lineup qualified to PGL Major Krakow, but after the major most members found new teams and new challenges. So did Kevin – he’s now part of OpTiC Gaming lineup with allu, friberg, mixwell and Magisk.

1. How did you start playing CS? How long have you been playing?

I tried playing CS for the first time when I was 7 years old back in 2004. A lot of my classmates were playing CS 1.6 after classes at that time. That makes it around 13 years of playing CS while taking long breaks from the game on and off.

2. How did you know that you should make CS:GO into a professional career?

At first I played a lot just for fun, but then I realized that I might have the potential and motivation to be at the top level. I got a chance in OnlineBOTS and from there on, everything just developed by itself and I’ve felt extremely motivated ever since.

3. Which characteristics did you develop in yourself?

I still try to practice communication mostly, especially in English. I also focus on not hesitating in my decision making and making the least amount of situational mistakes possible.

4.How do you prepare for an important game?

I usually listen to some music, talk and prepare with my teammates and warmup casually in-game.

5. Which characteristics make a good CSGO player into a great one?

Most important ones are taking initiative, staying calm in clutch situations and keeping everyones mood up in general. A good player understands that the easiest way to help out your team is to be as good as you can be and focuses on their own game, not on mistakes their teammates make. A great player never stops striving to becoming a better player.

6. Is there something in your esports career that you would like to do differently if you could go back in time?

I should have stayed in Publiclir for a little while longer. At the beginning of my career my attitude was bad as well, but fortunately I had cheti in my team – he spoke up and I understood that I needed to change my behaviour towards the game aswell as my teammates.

7. Do you have any favourite players who you look up to for inspiration or tips?

My favourite players are fer and shox. I often observe their playing style and try to learn from them. They never hesitate and make a lot of the correct decisions, also their style of play is really aggressive

8. If you could pick any CS:GO player in your team, who would it be and why?

FalleN, because I would like to know how he’s like as a leader and I think I could learn a lot from him – how to be a better player and teammate.

9. What is the most important value in a team?

Good relations in a team, a player who can be a leader in both in-game and in life.

10. What prerequisites are necessary for a team to be best in the world?

Five talented players with a common goal.

11. What role are you currently playing in your team? Do you think it’s the best one for you?

In OpTic our roles are dependant on the map we play. I’m usually the one who tries to find the weak spots in our opponent’s defense to open up the round for our team. I also get given a lot of opportunities to duel my opponents. In my team, I usually fill the roles others are not as comfortable with, I don’t really have a “best role” for myself and I can play anything.

12. What expectations do you have for your current OpTic Gaming lineup?

I personally think that we will and I expect us to become a top 5 team next year.

13. How often to you practice with the team?

As much as we can, Fridays and Saturdays are usually free, but it takes 7-10 hours a day to practice.

14. Which tournament is the coolest one you’ve ever been to?

PGL Major Krakow 2017 was the most important one for me. I got to play against the best teams and I learned a lot about what to improve on, which helped me become a better player.

HS playing at PGL Krakow Major 2017 Main Qualifier

Pistols should be changed, but the latest updates aren’t really the ones we needed in CSGO. Especially at a professional level.

16. What can you recommend to young players who want to be professional gamers?

Don’t force it. Focus on your education, family and working out or exercising. If it happens, it happens and you should be able to see if it’s meant for you just from doing gaming as a hobby in your free time.

17. Who has been your favourite teammate?

I had the most fun with cheti, and learnt the most as a player from suNny.

18. What should Valve change in CSGO?

I think this game should be more skill-based and less on luck. Changing first shot accuracy would be great, for example, making the first shot completely accurate.

19. Can you name an Estonian player who has the potential to become a great player?

cheti, if he ever takes the time to play this game for more than half a year at a time and keeps working hard on becoming a great player.

20. What would be the one thing you should to on CSGO to be happy with what you’ve achieved?

I would never be happy with any achievement – I always try to accomplish more.

We return soon with our next series of “20 Questions” – next time we will have a talk with Robin “ropz” Kool – the young star from mousesports.

Photos: HLTV.org