10 Nov 13
I played in the Hearts chess congress yesterday, minor tourney ECF 120. I won one (opps rating ecf 39) and drew the 2nd (opps ECF rating 114) , and took a bye in the third. I was so nervous in the first game that most of my time was spent ruining my score sheet and forgetting to touch the clock, saying that my opponent was brilliant as was everyone at the event . In the 2nd game I was more composed , having some help from the organiser about quick notation, I still kept forgetting to stop the clock. I,m supposed to play two games today , but I'm knackered , I fell a sleep as soon as I got in . I'm still on a high and am looking at the London classic rapid play tourneys in December. Has anyone got an advice about controlling nerves , or is this completely normal, my heart rate seem to go through the roof. I'll post the games if anyone's interested, I'll have to wait till the organisers post them , my sheets are a mess.
10 Nov 13
Originally posted by kaminskyIf it's any consolation to you, you're not the only one there who is nervous. If there is a separate hall for post mortems, go there after your games are finished and strike up some conversations. You are bound to find someone there to share your experiences with and help you analyze your games. You might be able to look over the shoulders of some stronger players and watch as they analyze their games; you'll learn a lot that way. I recall playing in the US Open at the time of Fischer-Spassky. Bent Larsen and Walter Browne were playing in the US Open that year (having been knocked out by Fischer in the candidates). It was grand watching them analyze their games; they were happy to comment aloud for anyone who cared to listen. Larsen would then comment on the latest developments in Fischer-Spassky (the moves were relayed from Iceland by fax directly to the hotel). Chin up, and good luck!
I played in the Hearts chess congress yesterday, minor tourney ECF 120. I won one (opps rating ecf 39) and drew the 2nd (opps ECF rating 114) , and took a bye in the third. I was so nervous in the first game that most of my time was spent ruining my score sheet and forgetting to touch the clock, saying that my opponent was brilliant as was everyone at the e ...[text shortened]... if anyone's interested, I'll have to wait till the organisers post them , my sheets are a mess.
10 Nov 13
Originally posted by moonbusAlthough the Herts chess congress isn't the US open, I was impressed with the stamina of most of the players after 2/3 hr games ,standing around the analysis tables going over games and using engines on laptops. I had to wait a couple of hours , but wasn't bored there seem to be plenty of characters at these things. I was dreading being drawn against a precocious 8 year old , I thought of asking the doctor for some beta blockers , but a thread in chess.com says they're banned , looks like its vodka.
If it's any consolation to you, you're not the only one there who is nervous. If there is a separate hall for post mortems, go there after your games are finished and strike up some conversations. You are bound to find someone there to share your experiences with and help you analyze your games. You might be able to look over the shoulders of some stronger p ...[text shortened]... sky (the moves were relayed from Iceland by fax directly to the hotel). Chin up, and good luck!
Originally posted by kaminskyHave a drink or a doobie before the game. 🙂
I played in the Hearts chess congress yesterday, minor tourney ECF 120. I won one (opps rating ecf 39) and drew the 2nd (opps ECF rating 114) , and took a bye in the third. I was so nervous in the first game that most of my time was spent ruining my score sheet and forgetting to touch the clock, saying that my opponent was brilliant as was everyone at the e ...[text shortened]... if anyone's interested, I'll have to wait till the organisers post them , my sheets are a mess.
The scoresheet will be much worse but you won't care 😛
10 Nov 13
Originally posted by kaminskyHey - I was playing in the Major - the next section up from you.
I played in the Hearts chess congress yesterday, minor tourney ECF 120. I won one (opps rating ecf 39) and drew the 2nd (opps ECF rating 114) , and took a bye in the third. I was so nervous in the first game that most of my time was spent ruining my score sheet and forgetting to touch the clock, saying that my opponent was brilliant as was everyone at the e ...[text shortened]... if anyone's interested, I'll have to wait till the organisers post them , my sheets are a mess.
If I had noticed this thread this morning maybe we could have introduced ourselves.
What you describe sounds to me like "the buzz of OTB" - you'll get used to it in time and the routine of move, clock, score-sheet helps to settle things down.
11 Nov 13
Originally posted by moonbusI'll try anything including vitamin B , probably better though to keep things in perspective.
"I thought of asking the doctor for some beta blockers , but a thread in chess.com says they're banned , looks like its vodka."
There is no ban on B vitamins. And remember that no one's infallible--not even Fischer was.
11 Nov 13
Originally posted by RagwortPity a bit of friendly advice would have calmed me down, really more play is the answer, the London classic rapid tourneys are held over 1 day probably suit me and get more otb games under my belt.
Hey - I was playing in the Major - the next section up from you.
If I had noticed this thread this morning maybe we could have introduced ourselves.
What you describe sounds to me like "the buzz of OTB" - you'll get used to it in time and the routine of move, clock, score-sheet helps to settle things down.
13 Nov 13
Originally posted by moonbusThis is excellent advice.
If it's any consolation to you, you're not the only one there who is nervous. If there is a separate hall for post mortems, go there after your games are finished and strike up some conversations. You are bound to find someone there to share your experiences with and help you analyze your games. You might be able to look over the shoulders of some stronger p ...[text shortened]... sky (the moves were relayed from Iceland by fax directly to the hotel). Chin up, and good luck!
