Advice in tournaments against superior players

Ok, it turns out, unless something drastic happens, I am going to advance in round 2 of 3 random tournaments I am in. Gezzz, figure that out can ya? I'm winning tournies and my rating drops 100 pts for playing out safe draws against weaker players so I can upper my chances of advancing safely. In fairness, I have been extremely lucky, many of these tournaments had numerous 2000 plus rated players, and none of them landed in my pool, in fact, all my pools have been extremely weak.

If all things go to plan, I will advance to round 2 in all 3 of these random torunies, and be the LOWEST RATED player in ALL of them to reach round 2. My pools will likely be filled with 1800-2200 rated players, and I'll be playing all these tough tournies/games simultaneously, which is why I canceled further requests of regular games and downright resigned my losing/drawing regular games to get them out of the way immediately in preparation for this.

Anyways, the situation seems kinda hopeless, I don't see how I can avoid losing a huge mass of games and watch my rating dipper to the 1400's no matter how hard I train or prepare for these guys. Should I treat these games like regular games, or just play extremely safe, play the role of spoiler/nuissance, and try to get as many draws as possible and hope for the best? I know geting draws in RHP tournies isn't a very good way to win, but I'm not going to win anyways, and geting a pile of draws against these guys could upper my rating substancially and while I may not win, it may cause a few superstars to lose. Also, if the game is drawish, they might try too hard to win against me, the inferior player, and screw up, although most 2000 plus raters probably wouldn't do this no matter who is across the board.

So, is this an ok strategy going into round 2, to play for a draw? Honestly I think I could draw all my chess games in my sleep if I wanted to, I often get carried away in a loss if I go for the win, but drawing seems pretty straight-forward, positional, and simple in my eyes, and I am a good endgame player, so I do not fear drawish endgames no matter what the rating.

Anyways, the situation seems kinda hopeless, I don't see how I can avoid losing a huge mass of games and watch my rating dipper to the 1400's no matter how hard I train or prepare for these guys.

I don't understand your worries.
You're rated 1590 now,if you play and lose against 1800-2000 rated opponents you won't lose much points...........

My my you are too concerned about some rateing points. Forget about that and play as strongly as you can and play to win. Take your time and play the strongest move you can find. At least force your opponent to earn the victory.

Your rating over time approximates to your level of play. It's never fully accurate. It's estimated that even at the GM level ratings are only within 50 points or so of the players 'true' rating (if such a thing exists). Don't play to improve your rating. Play to improve your play. That way your rating will improve eventually. If you play to improve your rating only then it will become inflated and it will drop back down quickly soon enough.

Just enjoy yourself and be done with it. YOU choose a strategy YOU are happy with!

What's the worst thing that could happen? Yes, that's right, you could LOSE SOME GAMES OF CHESS.

Study hard and lose!

Your position is hopeless 😛

Originally posted by mateulose
If all things go to plan, I will advance to round 2 in all 3 of these random torunies, and be the LOWEST RATED player in ALL of them to reach round 2. My pools will likely be filled with 1800-2200 rated players, and I'll be playing all these tough tournies/games simultaneously, which is why I canceled further requests of regular games and downright resign ...[text shortened]... my losing/drawing regular games to get them out of the way immediately in preparation for this.