Debating playing up a section (World Open)

I always have more fun and play my best chess against stronger players. I guess I really want to beat them so I reach my potential only in those games, I feel like I am actually playing good chess. :)

Go for the higher section!

Good advice all around, SmyslovFan. Thank you.

I was actually expecting more people would try to talk me up, since everyone likes a good underdog story. :)

In order to win the U1800 section, you will have to put in about a ~2100 level performance. This is no exaggeration. To score 8/9 against an average rating of 1775, you will play at 2136 performance level.

Stay in your own section.

I agree with Smyslov. A LOT of players do play down.

Yeah. If you're scoring well (above 80%) you're going to play at least a couple of real experts with 17something ratings. I wouldn't be surprised if the winner wasn't close to master.

Yeah, if you are in the top 10 after 6 rounds, you'll be playing players having a good tournament, so it will be strong, regardless of which section you choose to play in.  I'd stick to my own, bud, but that's me.

I delayed deciding long enough to have to pay a higher entry fee... oops!

Anyway, U1800 it is! Thanks for all the helpful suggestions, everyone.

I enjoy your posts a lot.  Please post some of your games after the event.  Good luck!!!

Will do. Maybe I'll try the blog thing and do a report on what it's like being an old man looking for his mojo.

Heck, post all 9 of your games. That way, as you're playing, you'll know every move will be publicized and subconsciously for that reason you'll work even harder every move. Just an idea. I'm thinking of doing that when I return to playing soon.

I might just do that, Damon. It could be a very humbling experience.

I think it might have been Botvinnik that said a good way to improve was to publish your games or analysis. I'm pretty sure he was speaking of players already very strong but now with the internet even lower level players such as us can publish for world wide scrutiny.

I have been to the World Open 8 times, 1999 thru 2005 and 2009.  Never have I played up in that event, and never have I placed higher than 4th, winning money twice out of the 8 times (2002 and 2005).

That said, another thing to keep in mind is while they have put in measures to curb it, players still sandbag.  So the Under 1800 section is more like playing in an Under 1900 section, and the Under 2000 more like an Under 2100.

I would suggest playing in large tournaments a little more frequently than once every 10 years, and doing a mix of playing up and playing in your section.  Play up in the cheaper major events (National Open, like I did in 2012, playing in the Open Section finishing with 2.5/6, National Chess Congress, Philidelphia Open, again like I did in 2011 playing in the Open section), and play in your own section in the super-expensive ones, like the World Open and Chicago Open (Played in this one 3 times, 2003, 2008, and 2013, all 3 times again playing in my own section).

Another suggestion is to give the US Open a shot.  It's cheaper, still 9 rounds, and you can face some really high rated players.  I am going there this year.  Last went in 2008 in Dallas and scored 6 out of 9 as a 2029 player then.  Gained me 51 rating points.  This year's is in Madison, WI.  The next 3 are in St. Louis ('14), Phoenix ('15), and Indianapolis ('16).

One more thing. (if you haven't already left) There are lots of things going on at the WO.  One of which; I suggest you take advantage of.  That is the free GM analysis of your game at the venue.  I can't recall the name of the GM in attendance now. 

But...  I think it was around 2003; I finally went into the room where Pal Benko was holding court.  I waited my turn to present my pityful game.  He questioned why I made certain moves, of course.  But the main thing I remember is his phrase-ology for his suggested alternatives.  "It's simple...  you do this and then this.... your winning"  "Simple!"  If only Pal Benko would come back to the WO.  His analysis was a real treat!

Back from chess hell.

One thing I learned is that playing 10 hours of chess every day for four days can really fry your brain. I would typically start strong, but by the end of the day started missing simple things. 

Glad I didn't play up; I would have been crushed. At least I finished with a positive score.

I'll post some games eventually, but I need a few days to decompress.

Look forward to seeing your games! Positive score, good job!

You might rethink the "good job" comment after seeing my last two games. :D

In my first World Open (1974) I went 2-6, and didn't deserve one of the wins.  I played some real horrible games.  I did better in my next one, 20 years later.  So I'll agree with the good job comment--not only did you learn a valuable lesson, you won more than you lost, which is a hell of a lot better than I did.  So, congrats, and I'm looking forward to the games, regardless of the quality.

Last night after my game I was so upset with myself (drawing an easily won game by blundering several times) that I went to bed angry and tossed and turned all night. I suddenly felt like I didn't want to share my games on chess.com at all. Too humiliating.

Feeling better this morning. I think I may make a multi-part blog with my games and experiences. There were some really interesting moments, both in the games and out. Chess players are funny people.

The last tournament I played in I got paired in round 1 with someone about 250 points lower than me, I was black. equalized easily, netted a pawn off a tactic, and my opponent appeared to panic and begins an all assult on my king which didn't pan out to well and I netted another pawn in the process and exchanged a lot of pieces so we just had a rook each and minor piece (his knight to my bishop). Then when the game was about to be "in the bag" I saw a nice way to finish my opponent off by attacking his lone passed h pawn and his king, which was his last positive in the position. With little thought I play the move and then my opponent looks up and says "sorry" in a very sympathetic voice and takes the rook with his knight. I just hung my rook and lost a game that I pretty much had in the bag! We all have games like these, no big deal! I ended up going 5.5/7 in that tournament so I was happy in the end (my opponent went 3/7)!