About 25.5 years ago, in 1984, my parents decided to take the Family Growth without Room action in Northern Poland. Annoyed by general resource and food shortages in communistic Poland we got the ticket to Germany, in 1989. This is where I still settle.

In 2003, I’ve achieved the victory conditions of my school and got the Abitur. In the same year, I’ve met my girlfriend who I’m now married to since November 2006. Also, since 2003, I’m studying Physics in Hanover. Currently I’m supporting new players that have difficulties to grab the rules of Math and Physics, i. e. I’m giving private lessons for students on a professional basis.

My gaming history has had many ups and downs. In my family, gaming was no topic to talk about. Both my parents and my sister weren’t interested in games at all. The only gaming I had these days was a little chess taught by my Dad and Tysiac, a Polish traditional card game. Later I’ve got to play some board games at my friends’ or cousins’ - the usual ones: Monopoly, Risk etc. I even saved money hard to get my own copy of Monopoly that didn’t get to played much due to my non-gaming family.

No wonder I lost interest in games later on. I’ve found my way back in 2005 when I purchased my first copy of Settlers. I really got intrigued by that game at once and this was my ticket back into board gaming. I guess I’ve went through the typical way of a new player since then. I was so fascinated by this whole new world that I’ve bought one game after another. My collection has grown to about 270 games since.

It didn’t take too long until I’ve discovered my passion for strategy games. I’ve played wide variety of games, but strategy games in the class of Agricola, Antiquity, Le Havre, Power Grid et al. are by far my favorite ones. Playing some really long games also, I’ve noticed my time limit is about 4 hours. If a game takes longer, I’m usually bored or overwhelmed.

I’m an Essen attendee since my reincarnation as a board gamer in 2005. I purposely tried to meet people from the industry as I love to contribute to this great hobby. This is why I joined BGG in 2006. Since about two years now I try to contribute as much as I can. I try different things, uploading images, writing some reviews and strategy articles. However, what I do best is helping people with rules or just talk about this and that game. My maybe best contribution is the Le Havre computer game in Java I’ve finished in May 2009. I’m a little proud to have made it on top of the 2009 Top 100 board game files list. Programming is another dear hobby of mine.

If you’re interested in a more detailed story of my gaming history, my profile is the place you’ll find a much longer biography than this one. You'll also find a small photo of me standing in front of my board game shelf.

And now, two truths and a lie:

- Interestingly we left Poland because of communism, but my grandfather was a high member of the communist party.

- Several years ago I’ve written letters to a favorite film actress of mine at that time - and I’ve got responses, of course.

- If I’m taught to a new strategy game, it’s usually me who wins this game. Sometimes this is the first and last time I win said game.

I’m glad I’ve been chosen for Geek of the Week. I hope I’ll be able to contribute even more in the future. I’m so proud and happy to be part of this fantastic community. Thank you BGG! I wish all of you a Happy New Year!

1. I see you're a huge fan of Le Havre. What makes it such a gem in your collection?
2. What are your feelings towards Poland? Do you think your family made the right choice when you left Poland for Germany? Do you think about going back, or you're quite happy in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland?
3. Was it difficult to convert your wife-to-be into gaming? Or was she a gamer already when you met her?
4. What kind of music do you like? Are there any particular tracks you would recommend for a rousing game of Agricola?
5. Where do you keep all your numerous games?

congrats , well deserved , wondered many times why they needed so long for this ...

i think number three is the lie .

my questions are ..
can we expect a flash java version of Loyang ?
have you started to work on le havre 2.0 ?
what do you don´t like on le havre ?
your most atticipated game for 2010 ?

Do you design games yourself? Whether you do or not, which game do you most wish you could say, "Why, yes I did design that game!"?

Congratulations!

I'm a quarter Polish myself, though I've never been there. My favorite Polish joke (you need to imagine it being the 80's for the full effect):


A Polish dockworker heads to his local bank to open a savings account, and goes up to the teller.

"I'd like to open an account, but I'm worried about losing my life savings should this bank fail."

"Oh, don't worry," the teller replied. "The main branch in Warsaw will cover any debts this branch has."

"But what if the whole bank goes under?"

"We're insured by the Polish government. They'll cover our debt should that happen."

"Yeah, but what if the government goes bankrupt?"

"Then our friends in the mighty Soviet Union will step in and protect us!"

"But what if the Soviet Union falls?"

The teller looks around, then leans closer to the patron and says, "Isn't that worth one lousy paycheck?"

1.) What would your ideal day of gaming be? Games/food/location/atmosphere etc.

2.) You've played Le Havre 129 times. Could you please start telling new players to get off your lawn whenever they post in the forums? I promise to tip you even if nobody else thinks it's funny. There could even be a microbadge: "Le Havre fan - I'm on Ponton's Lawn" Eh? Eh?

3.) What part of the world should be covered by the next Power Grid map?

4.) What's it like being a playtester on high-profile games?

Enjoy your week!

Congrats Grzegorz, well deserved! I hope we can meet one day, perhaps at Essen.

My question: What are the countries you have visited outside of Germany/Poland? Any favourites?

I know I'm supposed to ask a question but instead I would like to share a simple story about Ponton. He gave me my first geekgold tip! I'm a total noob here and for people who have been on this site forever they likely forget what that is like. It really made me feel like I actually "belonged" to this community that has become such a time suck in my life. Thank you for that. I can't convey the excitement that such a simple gesture gave me in this new (to me) community. Congratulations on Geek of the Week. Oh, and although I'm adopted, my mom's maiden name is Gulka and I love me some pierogies and kapusta!

HERZLICHEN GLÜCKWUNSCH!
Is there any specific part of physics you are studying or you are interested in?
Is there any part of physics which is not yet theme or mechanic in a mentionable game?

At first, I didn't like the rising food requirements in Le Havre. I thought it to be disrupting, yet necessary. With time and experience, I've excepted it as a main balancing part of the game.

If I’m taught to a new strategy game, it’s usually me who wins this game. Sometimes this is the first and last time I win said game.