It's inevitable that we will have to face both weaker and stronger players throughout our chess career. How should we face each?
Some advise to play the same way against all comers. Same opening, same style, same everything. Others suggest complicating matters as much as possible against weaker players and keeping it simple against the stronger opponents. Yet others suggest keeping it as simple as possible against the weaker opponents and complicating matters against those better than yourself. I'm sure there are many other possibilities and nuances, but this is what comes to mind first.
Where do you stand on this? How do you deal with this situation in tournaments?
Originally posted by exigentskyWhen I play with stronger opponents I play complicated yet sound...when I play with weaker opponents I still play complicated but not necessarily sound.
It's inevitable that we will have to face both weaker and stronger players throughout our chess career. How should we face each?
Some advise to play the same way against all comers. Same opening, same style, same everything. Others suggest complicating matters as much as possible against weaker players and keeping it simple against the stronger opponen ...[text shortened]... ind first.
Where do you stand on this? How do you deal with this situation in tournaments?
Originally posted by tomtom232Game 4779801
When I play with stronger opponents I play complicated yet sound...when I play with weaker opponents I still play complicated but not necessarily sound.
Originally posted by c guy1I do viceversa: my reason is: I can play positionally against the weaker to put away any chances of loosing and crazy tactically against the stronger because in some tactical mess there is probably a blunder every move.
The top player in my county currently has this philosophy: sharp and sound against weaker, boring/solid against stronger. Basically, make it tactically crazy against weaker and positional against stronger. Unfortunantly for him, I have evil plans for him this weekend...muhahahha
Originally posted by kenani like to wear a scarf against the weaker ones, with no wool. the wool get's itchy. also against equal players, i like to play upside down. it just makes sense that way.
I do not wear any socks when I play against a stronger player and I usually play blindfold myself with a scarf when playing weaker opponents.
Playing without socks helps my positional play and blindfolded play makes my eyes rest.
I’ve played GM’s, IM’s and strong masters both in CC and OTB and one thing I noticed: they played the same way against me that they would have against their peers. Same openings and just because they outrated me by a few hundred points they did not take any unnecessary risks. Can you draw a conclusion from that?
Originally posted by masscatur an incognito GM?
I’ve played GM’s, IM’s and strong masters both in CC and OTB and one thing I noticed: they played the same way against me that they would have against their peers. Same openings and just because they outrated me by a few hundred points they did not take any unnecessary risks. Can you draw a conclusion from that?
Practically, you should just play the same way against anyone. If you wanted to theoretically maximize your results, you would play a more conservative style against much weaker opponents (with less risk/variance, you would more likely to score a win, since it will take a major surprise for you to lose), while playing a riskier style against much stronger opponents (for the opposite reason; you're willing to trade losing spectacularly more often for the occasional surprise victory).
While all posts are logical and make sense.
Why adjust you´re playing when you play a specific type of opponent. I usually only look and adjust my play according to the position of the pieces on the board.
(Unless I am playing a gorgeous Female, but that does not happen that often 🙁 )