How did you get to know about Forex?
I was told by a friend about it. We first studied the New York Futures Exchange together since we wanted to trade futures. But that required rather large capital to be invested and was difficult, technically speaking. Studying technical analysis, we came across the website of a Forex brokerage company.

When did this take place?
It was around the end of year 2003.

What is your general opinion about trading?
I think it is hard labor. Although when I started to trade with Forex I expected a "cherry pie".

So you considered Forex to be an easy way to earn money, didn't you? So what changed your mind?
I have communicated with many traders, brokers and other Forex people since that time. Communicated and drawn conclusions. To be honest, I have never known anybody really earning big money on the Forex. I mean, not personally. There are many bawlers on forums who declare themselves to be millionaires. But they go to and fro, and Forex remains. Most probably, with their millions.

What do you think of automated trading? How would you estimate this technology from a trader's perspective?
Unfortunately, I have not formed my opinion yet... I read books and postings on forums before. I suppose that one of obvious advantages of automated trading is absence of emotions. I decided for myself from the beginning that I will not trade manually, ever. I am too hot-tempered. I even contrived to pull a boner like opening positions without StopLoss defined on my demo account. The most obvious disadvantage is inflexibility. But this more relates to those who want to place a “money-making machine” – in form of an expert advisor – and leave for Canaries. Many write their experts in order to be able to manage them as flexibly as possible.

Are you using an expert in your trading?
I am not interested in the aspect of trading very much - technical solutions are more attractive for me. The last time I traded seriously was a year ago. I wrote a custom expert, and I liked the way it was trading. With consent of the strategy author, I started to test the expert on my demo account. Everything was ok for about 3 months: My profit made 50 to 80 % a month, small risks, practically no drawdown. Dollars flickered in my eyes, and I saw myself somewhere far from home, swimming in the ocean with dolphins. I decided to start a real trading with US$ 1 000, laid everything to heart, checked, calculated... But, one day, my expert lost everything first and then got "in the hole" - the trend was over...

I immediately decided for myself that I will not invest real money until I have a stable positive result on my demo. This is why I have not lost any cent on the Forex yet.

You have written many useful articles about automated trading. Is this a hobby, a show of altruism, or just your job?
It is a hobby I can benefit from. Or a job I like very much, if you prefer.

I try not to do what I don't like doing and to be honest to myself. So, as soon as I understand that I do not want to write experts or articles or do what I am doing now anymore, I stop doing it. But the desire to do it usually returns very soon. I can say for sure that I like this.

What do you think of the Championship?
I think this is a good idea. What I like about your company is that positive ideas that arise on forums are always put into life. The Championship is a good motivation for those who write Expert Advisors to develop better programs. The rules are rather strict in order to avoid chance gains, though they eliminate many good strategies. The promised prizes impress me much, but I would add some small incentive prizes. Organization is on the up and up, and I think the technical aspect will make the grade, too. It is the judging that remains, which I cannot estimate in advance. Though I, personally, have a hundred-per-cent trust in MetaQuotes Software Corp.

I suppose such championships should be regular. But to begin with, let us observe this current one.

Will you participate yourself?
I think I will, yes. After you had announced the Championship, I thought I would surely participate in it. But then I faced the same ole problem: I do not have my own effective strategy. Well, I think my participation will be representative rather than really pretending to win. Anything is possible, though: Maybe, my simple strategy will run away with the Forex bottom men?

In your opinion, what kind of developer or Expert Advisor will win in this competition?
An experienced developer and some luck. Nobody can tell what will happen on the market within these months. I think the winning strategy must be able to trade on both trend and flat markets. It means it must be universal.

Plus good money management. That will never do without it!

If your strategy really runs away with the Forex bottom men, what will you do with your prize?
I will prepare an expedition to climb Mount Everest. This is what I meant under "my other hobbies". Yes, and not only mountain climbing, I love everything related to beauty and risk. I climbed my first serious peak this year - the Elbrus (note: the height of Elbrus peak is 5600 meters). I cannot imagine my life without extremes. When being on the top (no matter of what altitude) of the conquered peak, to which you have devoted all your energies and will… it is an indescribable feeling. I have not found an alternative for this yet!

Thank you for this Interview, Andrey. Good luck at the Championship!