Originally posted by VarenkaAlthough you could say that "Good luck" is short for "Good luck, because you would definately need a lot of luck, otherwise I am going to rip you apart". That should also psyche yourself up. 🙂
It's a very minor point, but I never say "good luck" to my opponent. To be honest, I don't want them to be lucky so I don't pretend that I do. :-) I will say "good game", etc. and shake hands.
I understand if some think this is taking things a bit too far. But for me, if I'm psyching myself up to win, then wishing my opponent luck doesn't fit in with that frame of mind.
Originally posted by lauseyTry frothing at the mouth and snarling frequently. I find that often demoralises my opponent.
Although you could say that "Good luck" is short for "Good luck, because you would definately need a lot of luck, otherwise I am going to rip you apart". That should also psyche yourself up. 🙂
Occasionally whispering "Kill.." in your opponent's direction couldn't hurt either.
Originally posted by Sicilian Smaugyour clock should be started before you make the first move, shouldn't it?
Also, i usually shake there hand and say 'all the best' or 'good game' or 'good luck' before taking my e pawn in hand and delivering it to e4 before pressing the clock and waiting for my opponents reply.
To be serious for a minute, my normal repertoire includes:
White
~Evans Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4!?)
~Morra Gambit (1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3)
~Blackmar-Diemer Gambit against most things I don't have a specific gambit for.
~Milner-Barry Gambit (1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.Bd3!?)
As Black
~King's Indian Defence or Queen's Gambit Accepted against 1.d4, depending on my mood. I hate answering 1.d4 in general.
~Two Knights Defence against the Giuoco Piano
~Open Morphy Defence against the Spanish Torture
Perhaps you can see a clear theme developing! I like to play gambits as White to try and whip up an attack and play complex open games as Black.
In a recent team tournament I learned some things. At the intermediate level just rolling into a defensive French ball will rarely work as you just drop a pawn. If less strong players defend badly then I ought to attack as hard and fast as I can, at the first chance I get.
In my final game I sacrificed a pawn against a 1600 player playing the Rubinstein of the French to gain a development lead and wiped the floor with him. I was on the offensive for the entire match until I managed to force through a pawn to win material.
So I'm playing gambits to try to utilise my aggressive side of chess (which seems more effective for me than playing positionally).
Playing gambits forces you to play much more precise chess as you strive to find the best compensation for the pawn! I have noticed great leaps in my playing strength since I started playing gambits!
Originally posted by Ragnorak1.Do you mean 1 thousand five hundred players, or 15OO rated players?
Over 1500 players on here generally refer to databases, except POWERSHAKER, he's just naturally brilliant.
D
2. How do you know that?
3.Does that mean I'm naturally brilliant too? [I don't use 'em]
4.Would your rating be under that figure if you didn't use em?