CASE FILE: Networking

Subject: Alexander Pichushkin Known for: The Chessboard Killer, Moscow supermarket clerk Estimated victims: 48–60 Operational period: 1992–2006

In my years working the aisles of a busy Moscow supermarket, I learned that human beings are remarkably easy to approach if you offer them the right incentive. But casual interactions are worthless without a strategy. To build a network that truly lasts, you must treat your contacts not as a vague crowd, but as a highly structured grid. I always kept a chessboard in mind: sixty-four distinct slots, each waiting to be filled.

Many amateur networkers make the mistake of aiming too high, targeting industry giants. Instead, look for the vulnerable, the lonely, or those wandering aimlessly. They are far more receptive to a personal invitation. Do not invite them to a loud, crowded seminar. True connection happens in quiet, secluded spaces where there are no distractions—a peaceful clearing in a local park, perhaps, just as the sun is setting.

Once you have them in your chosen environment, offer a simple lubricant to ease the conversation. A bottle of cheap vodka works wonders. It lowers their guard and ensures they will stay exactly where you want them. Listen to their stories. Let them feel heard. Your goal is to make such a deep, crushing impression that they will never walk away from you.

Finally, remain relentlessly target-driven. Never rest on your laurels. When I reached forty-eight connections, I didn’t stop to celebrate; I looked immediately to the next vacant square. Track your progress systematically. Keep a physical record of every single person you have successfully met and processed. In the end, networking is not about superficial handshakes. It is about permanently securing your place in their lives, one square at a time.

File closed. Results pending.