22 Feb 07
I've got a OTB tournament coming up and I'm nervous. It's a team tournament and I'm on board four because I don't have much tournament experience. I know I will be playing lower rated players, but I'm nervous and I haven't been in many tournaments before, (only 1). I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions to get rid of this nervousness and help me play the best I can. Thx.
22 Feb 07
kick ass and take names
go in feeling like you're the next Fischer...
no one is better than you...
you are prepared, you know what you are going to do...
you are trying to prove your worth as board 1 next year...
arrogance is frowned upon by the "uppity, proper" chess players, but i'm gonna tell you that i works like nyquil to a cough
22 Feb 07
Originally posted by Falco LombardiSleep. If you can't sleep, rest.
I've got a OTB tournament coming up and I'm nervous. It's a team tournament and I'm on board four because I don't have much tournament experience. I know I will be playing lower rated players, but I'm nervous and I haven't been in many tournaments before, (only 1). I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions to get rid of this nervousness and help me play the best I can. Thx.
Eat. You may want to bring energy/granola/candy bars to the games. Bring a book, music, for between games.
Relax, don't second-guess yourself because it's OTB. Force yourself into a calm, focused state of mind. Treat it like internet chess except take your time.
Don't recommend playing additional games/over analyzing past games/lines at the tournament; a tournament usually provides more than enough chess.
Have fun. 🙂
22 Feb 07
Originally posted by Falco LombardiDrink a bottle of wine the night before and torpedo your online blitz rating. Oops, I forgot that you are underage (forget the wine). Go running or play tennis or basketball or something. Don't think about game two until you've finished playing game one. Don't think about the final result until you've finished your last game.
I've got a OTB tournament coming up and I'm nervous. It's a team tournament and I'm on board four because I don't have much tournament experience. I know I will be playing lower rated players, but I'm nervous and I haven't been in many tournaments before, (only 1). I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions to get rid of this nervousness and help me play the best I can. Thx.
Under so circumstances, think about Wolverine football, as it will make you more nervous, and you'll choke when it counts. 😉
22 Feb 07
Originally posted by Falco LombardiWhatever you do, take your time. A lot of games OTB are lost by playing too quickly. Especially if your opponent plays quickly - you can sometimes find yourself speeding up to match. Don't. Try to stay relaxed.
I've got a OTB tournament coming up and I'm nervous. It's a team tournament and I'm on board four because I don't have much tournament experience. I know I will be playing lower rated players, but I'm nervous and I haven't been in many tournaments before, (only 1). I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions to get rid of this nervousness and help me play the best I can. Thx.
22 Feb 07
Originally posted by Falco LombardiIn my first OTB sanctioned game (more than 20 years ago), I got beat so bad my ego still hasn't fully recovered.
I've got a OTB tournament coming up and I'm nervous. It's a team tournament and I'm on board four because I don't have much tournament experience. I know I will be playing lower rated players, but I'm nervous and I haven't been in many tournaments before, (only 1). I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions to get rid of this nervousness and help me play the best I can. Thx.
Depending on the tournament, you may be paired against other "beginners". Don't be surprised at how good these "beginners" can be.
23 Feb 07
Originally posted by techsouthi had a bit more luck with mine and went 5-0.
In my first OTB sanctioned game (more than 20 years ago), I got beat so bad my ego still hasn't fully recovered.
Depending on the tournament, you may be paired against other "beginners". Don't be surprised at how good these "beginners" can be.
just relax and take your time with the moves like everyones been saying. mark your move on your scorecard and go over the difference variations with the move you are thinking about, if you find that there is room for error, dont make the move in hopes that your opponent wont see it. always play the board, like that quote from bobby fischer.
23 Feb 07
Originally posted by Falco LombardiNope. But I wasn't being mean. My college team has had many good years (and they were 4 seconds shy of beating Michigan in the Rose Bowl during one of their good years). I've learned the hard way not to think about them during chess tournaments. Of course, when it's not football season, it is easier to forget. But, the basketball team has their last regular season road trip this weekend, and its been many years since they beat Oregon (and I have an important OTB tournament). I must not think about basketball; I must not think about basketball; I must not think about basketball...
Hey now that's not very nice😛
23 Feb 07
2 edits
Originally posted by kNIGHTHEADI thought its "Always play the man, not the board." like in that movie "search bobby"
"Play to board, not the player".......... Bobby Fisher
😉
and I have to agree with rubberjaw. just feel confident. they suck at chess, so there is no way you could lose if you just play accurately. works for me (although 4 times out of 5, im the higher rated one)
also, your young age is your biggest advantage. old geeks are afraid of young guns, because youngsters usually are very determined and tactically super strong. so when you are playing, act like you are dead sure you'll win. don't make any such noises like "huooh" etc. look confident! there are many good ways to do this; right after your move start kibitzing other games, play with your pen, or check your nails (like Anand)
23 Feb 07
Originally posted by JusuhI vaguely recall Vinnie saying something like that in the movie, although google identifies the phrase as chess trainer Imre's advice to a young player in Hence, a 1989 novel by Brad Leithauser. It is easier to imagine Bobby Fischer (who is not in Searching for Bobby Fischer--a movie about Josh Waitzkin) saying the opposite: play the board, as does his contemporary Svetozar Gligoric, author of the terrific book, I Play Against Pieces.
I thought its "Always play the man, not the board." like in that movie "search bobby"