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What to do before a tourney...

What to do before a tourney...

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J

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1) play blitz
2) take walks before each game
3) listen good music before each game
4) remember that your opponents suck at chess. its just up to you to take advantage of their pathetic mistakes.

J

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Originally posted by exigentsky
Thanks for all your advice! Keep it coming.

Based on what RahimK and gaychessplayer wrote, I've already worked a little over an hour on the Chess Tactics Server. I'm finding it surprisingly difficult. I just barely got to 1300 and I'm rated much higher on RHP and ICC. Maybe it doesn't really correspond.
it does not. I think ~99% players have lower CTS ratings than RHP or OTB ratings. I have only 1700 rating on CTS and 2000 OTB

D

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Originally posted by Jusuh
it does not. I think ~99% players have lower CTS ratings than RHP or OTB ratings. I have only 1700 rating on CTS and 2000 OTB
Yeah my rating is about lower on there too.

Just to confirm it... lol

R
Different

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Originally posted by Mahout
2. Talk to your pieces.
Best advise so far...

e

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Originally posted by zebano
It is tough. I have peaked at around 1550 there and have been hovering at 1520 for a week now. I've gotta break that 1600 barrier here!
Yeah, tell me about it. I worked on it another hour and stopped at 1365. Maybe by the end of the week I'll be 1400. lol The clock makes things much more difficult. But of course, it makes sense, OTB chess has a clock after all.

e

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Originally posted by Mahout
A few useful tips were passed on to me recently:

1. Mistakes often come in pairs - so if you make a bad move be patient and your opponent may well return the favour.

2. Talk to your pieces.

3. If you're stuck and can't think of any good moves then have a look to see if you can improve your worst piece.

4. Play the board not the rating of your opp ...[text shortened]... urely playing h3 as you fear they might wish to play the knight to g4 is one I did last week)
Those are really good tips. Thanks!

Now, when I talk to my pieces, do you think it would be against the rules if I did this out loud? I would love to see my opponent's face when I do that! I can see it now: "So, how are you feeling cramped up on c8? it seems like pawns are pushing you around. Wouldn't you rather be on my side? Just look at my bishop, he enjoys a stress-free life and has plenty of space to roam. You really should get out of here... it's not good for you..." That would be awesome. 😉

The tourney is this weekend and I haven't PLAYED any chess all week. Would it be advisable to play a 45 min game today or tomorrow?

R
Different

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Originally posted by Jusuh
it does not. I think ~99% players have lower CTS ratings than RHP or OTB ratings. I have only 1700 rating on CTS and 2000 OTB
My OTB raiting is higher...this of course could be just because I only started here a few days ago....

R
Different

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Originally posted by exigentsky
Now, when I talk to my pieces, do you think it would be against the rules if I did this out loud? I would love to see my opponent's face when I do that! I can see it now: "So, how are you feeling cramped up on c8? it seems like pawns are pushing you around. Wouldn't you rather be on my side? Just look at my bishop, he enjoys a stress-free life and has ple ...[text shortened]... m. You really should get out of here... it's not good for you..." That would be awesome. 😉
You should whisper to them, then get really offended if your opponent starts staring at you and ask for some privacy, tell him you don't appreciate people eavesdropping on your private conversation.

z

127.0.0.1

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Originally posted by zebano
It is tough. I have peaked at around 1550 there and have been hovering at 1520 for a week now. I've gotta break that 1600 barrier here!
1553 now!! Approaching my high of 1556 🙂

V

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Originally posted by exigentsky
Next weekend will be 2 tourneys for me and I'm not sure how to prepare. Should I play more games and do a few puzzles or perhaps just completely get my mind off chess so that I can play with renewed energy and enthusiasm?
Something to consider is "what does chess mean for you?". Will the outcome of these tourneys have big effect on your future afterwards? Or are you taking part mainly for the entertainment of playing chess? Of course, we all want to win. But winning for me doesn't have the same importance as it does for, e.g., Carlsen.

Make sure you relax about it. Doing some things between now and then may help a bit, but ultimately your playing ability is decided by what you've done up till now.

Looking over some openings won't do any harm, but make sure you don't get stressed by this. The chances are that if you can play with a clear mind and your tactics, etc. don't get neglected, you'll likely survive the opening even if you don't know the theory. And if you play better than your opponent, the remainder of the game will give you opportunities to swing it in your favour.

Know the time control and get an idea of what that means in terms of pace for move 20, 30, etc.

Best of luck.

Mahout

London

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Originally posted by Raven69
You should whisper to them, then get really offended if your opponent starts staring at you and ask for some privacy, tell him you don't appreciate people eavesdropping on your private conversation.
I found this posted by YUGOslav in another thread:

I have conversations with my pieces (it's even more fun w/ knights as you can say "adjust" and face them towards you to talk) during games (until my opponent eventually objects) when i'm in a rut, asking them what the best plan is and such. Also, pick up a captured piece, say "you're mine now slave!" and ask him what your opponent's plan is and such.

Or ask a piece..."so what do think of the queen?"

J

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yeah well I agree that talking to pieces is instructive. Yet personally I like to blame them of my bad moves, like saying to knight "Oh cmon, what the hell are you doing on the a-file? Get out of there you sissy or you'll get traded" And sometimes I flirt with the enemy queen...

it really works, but so far I haven't had enough courage to talk them when playing rated games.

e

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Originally posted by Mahout
I found this posted by YUGOslav in another thread:

I have conversations with my pieces (it's even more fun w/ knights as you can say "adjust" and face them towards you to talk) during games (until my opponent eventually objects) when i'm in a rut, asking them what the best plan is and such. Also, pick up a captured piece, say "you're mine now slave!" and a ...[text shortened]... your opponent's plan is and such.

Or ask a piece..."so what do think of the queen?"
LOL, I will definitely do that if I have enough time on my clock. This should be good. And you know, you solve tactics much better when happy and so, this could put me in the right mood. 🙂 It would definitely take some of the seriousness out of it.

R
Different

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Originally posted by exigentsky
LOL, I will definitely do that if I have enough time on my clock. This should be good. And you know, you solve tactics much better when happy and so, this could put me in the right mood. 🙂 It would definitely take some of the seriousness out of it.
Have fun with that, lol. And good luck in your tournament!

K
Chess Warrior

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Drink some beers in last evening before starting tournament and arrive with light hangover 😀

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