A computer game ban imposed by parents is a nightmare for children who enjoy spending their free time in the virtual world.

That doesn't exist with the Krol family.

Parents are more likely to ask: "Have you already gambled today?" Her twelve-year-old son Alexander is a Pokémon player and is one of the 16 best in the world in his age group.

However, the everyday life of the boy from Steinbach is exactly the same as that of his classmates: school, private tuition, football and guitar lessons.

And somewhere between school and football, he schedules two hours a day for the video game Pokémon.

He discovered his passion a year ago when his English teacher from the Phorms-Taunus-School in Steinbach offered a Pokémon club in the after-school care.

"When Alex came back home, he was talking about his cool teacher with the Pokémon lanyard, who suddenly became his favorite teacher," reports August Krol, his father.

The teacher is "Castor" at Pokémon, which means she moderates competitions on an online platform.

"It's hard to imagine at least 8,000 people watching you play," says Alexander.

Rock, paper, scissors principle

The rules can be compared to the game "rock, paper, scissors", as Alexander explains: "Whether you win or lose depends on which Pokémon you have selected." There are around 1000 of these virtual characters in total, of which the player must designate six for his team.

These six different Pokémon have traits that are crucial in competition, battling your opponent's characters.

August Krol compares the game to poker.

"You have to analyze here, remember every step your opponent takes and remain very attentive," says the father.

"And always keep your own head cool," adds Alexander.

You have to "read" your opponent, but also pay attention to your own face so that the facial expressions don't give anything away.

In each game you have the opportunity to change the combination of Pokémon and surprise your opponent.

The players call themselves "trainers" because they feel like the trainers of their characters.

The game isn't always played over the internet.

Players also come together for competitions.

At the end of August, the young Steinbacher took part in a tournament in London, the Pokémon World Championship 2022.

Despite an accident that saw the power cut, resulting in Alexander having to repeat a round, he advanced to the next round with five wins out of a possible six.

However, he could not defeat a Japanese opponent, so he did not get into the final of the World Cup.

"It was a good feeling to be able to play with the best players from all over the world," says Alexander.

His English teacher was in London with him and supported the student.

Those around him wonder how he managed to get to world championship level in just one year.

His Japanese opponent had been playing for three years.

"My classmates are very proud of me," says Alexander.

Despite his passion, which takes up a lot of his time, school is still his priority.

It is clear to him that if his grades get worse, he will have to stop his hobby.

Training for thinking and memory

However, his father supports him in his interests.

The father sits next to the son in a white hoodie with "Pokémon" written in bright colors.

To better understand his son and his hobby, he downloaded the game himself two months ago.

When Alexander started his hobby, his family didn't mind.

For her, this is not only a virtual game, but also a cognitive exercise for her son.

“We have to be aware that all children of this generation love computer games.

Pokémon trains its analytical thinking and memory,” says Alexander's father.

Add to that the opportunity to see the whole world and improve your English.

This year alone, the boy was with his father in France, Spain, North America and England.

The travel expenses are often borne by the manufacturer of the game, the company Nintendo.

Tournament entry fees range from 30 to 40 euros and the prize money varies from 500 to 1500 euros depending on the performances achieved.

The main prize at the World Cup was 10,000 euros.

"When I came to Germany from the United States in July, I found a letter in the mailbox with a Pokémon credit card," says Alexander.

He was able to have all his winnings from the last tournaments paid out.

The young player is very happy with his performances.

He gets to know people from all over the world, travels a lot and does what he enjoys.

When asked what his biggest dream is, he replies confidently: "I have to win the World Cup."