Tips for facing a stronger player?

Thanks for all the tips, guys. For the record, I'm playing white.

I remember otb when I was 1400 I faced a 1700 that after 1.e4 e5 and some other moves he somehow got his queen to h5 in the opening. I won though.

play sharp positions, more chance your opponent will make a blunder, playing closed positions may let you last longer, but you will still get out played positionally.

your best bet to beat a stronger player... 

1) dump a jar of bed bugs on their bed to prevent them from sleeping the night before

2) switch their water bottle or anything they are drinking with absinthe (be careful though some people play better drunk)

3) and if they wear glasses switch them with another pair

and if that doesn't work you are on your own

Allow yourself one cigarette before the game.

You know. Like people get before they go up in front of the firing squad?

When facing a higher elo rated opponent, i already accept the fact that i will get beaten but set myself to the task of "to try and make the defeat last long by giving my opponent the hardest chess fight in his entire life by my stubborn resistance". Sometimes it pays off as i get to eliminate my fears and apprehensions during the game that results in upsets.

I would not accept the idea that anyone could beat me. I would stick to what I know well and play that.

If you just play to just prolong the game--your opponent will unprolong the game for you.

I agree as the stronger player is the stronger player for good reason. And they will see clearly what your strategy is in the game.

I'm not even an expert and even I have a reply handy.  1...c5 ensures the position will have imbalances without resorting to gimmicky gambits.  2.Nf3,Nf6 and it could go either way as both sides have flexible choices.  3.e3,g6 4.b3,Bg7 5.Bb2,0-0 6.Be2,Nc6 7.0-0,d6 is one such line, and it's solid and black keeps e5 problems at bay with 7...d6.

johnyoudell, that is very good advice. I would add one thing.

If possible get a much strong players to give you insight to some of the moves of the game or games you have played and are now studying.

If you understand the gambit then play it.

If you believe in it then play it.

If you have had success in the past then play it.

If all the above is true then just play it.

If you want to "last long", you're already taking the wrong approach. You have to play for the win, no matter who you're facing and how high his/her rating is.

in my experiance look for a mistake Early, as in the opening 8 moves.  I have found often facing higher ranked opponents they will play an opening that is less sound figuring they are likely to get the advantage or simply be able to compensate with thier experiance..  When I do win against someone 100 or more points higher it is usually because I got a piece up early and was able to translate it to a win. Also, play for a draw and keep defending tit for tat.  He make get impatient as others said and make a mistake.  I am currently in a game vs. a 1950 where I kept making counter defensive moves and alas he blundered and allowed to exchange his queen for my knight!  Now all I must do is close for the win.  But basically play a solid defense and play for the draw, exchange out his queen or attacking pieces and be mindful ever of what endgame is like to happen, it may come down to having a more active King in a pawn endgame..  Gl!

Amen.  Goes for any opening.  Far better to play what you know and are comfortable with, no matter what the experts or engines say,  than currently-fashionable lines that you don't understand.

Haha, oh my. 

How about playing against him as if you were playing any other opponent. That is horrible advice. Play for a draw?? NEVER PLAY FOR A DRAW. If you play for a draw, you will most likely lose because you are playing passive. Play for the win. Take the initiative. Always question what your opponent's plan is. The worst that can happen is you lose. You will then learn from your mistakes and become a better chess player from the experience. You will gain NOTHING from playing for a draw.

IMO playing for a draw against a better player is not passive at all.  It is playing Solid and given the OP's desription of the rating disparity he will need to.  By playing for a draw I am saying play to counter his moves and not gambit material for a win or try something fancy as its like the eperianced player has seen it before and then some.  By play for a draw I mean play to keep it solid and equal for as long as possible and occasionally a clear winning oportunity will arise.  In the case of lower vs. higher on this site a draw scores points.  In a tournament a draw is .5 points and loss is Zero.  If the opponent is that much higher rated the odds of scoring a win or very low so perhaps playing for at least some score is not bad advice...

and ZAPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP 

DO NOT message me personally again.  If you feel the need to be hostile and chastise me do so in a public forum you are not my friend and do not contact me as such.. thank you.

akiljayakumar1 rank went down to 1934 in that open seek game. Who created the open seek you or him?

Well Seraphimity, sorry to disappoint you but that is not how you play chess. You're supposed to achieve a better position as early as possible by controlling key squars and positional advantage. You will not get anywhere in chess (or in life) by being intimidated by people's status (in this case ratin). Take this advice from a much stronger player. Cheers.