MJH -- That could also be useful. I'm currently playing a user called "zx7r07876". Obviously a weird user name but what makes me even more suspicious is that "ZX" and "678" are neighbouring keys on a QWERTY keyboard. My thought is that the main reason someone might create such a predictable attempt at randomness for a user name is if they were busy creating many. :-D

re:FoN -- Oh! I misread the invite. I though it was for 1400+ players. Yeah. I'll join that one. Sure, get me an invite into this exclusive club if you can. :-)

Annabella -- I thought about it too but actually I care more about getting an accurate idea of how well I'm doing so that I can feel some genuine pride when I make progress. (or feel guilty when I slack off). My New Year's resolution is to hit 1300+ by the end of the year.

Yeah, that guy is probably cheating.  

Yes, Phoenix Arisen will send you an invite momentarily.  Wait a few hours for my request to him to be processed.  He's a friend of mine who set up the tourney for me.

I would think your resolution is certainly possible, Shah, just don't play when you can't think straight.  You played me when I first joined, and I have been at 1400 before, and I know you are at LEAST 1300.

He just sent it to you.

I received it but I can't join because I'm already in a chess.com official tournament. Basic members can only be in one tournament at a time.

No, the official chess.com tourneys don't count as one for basic members - they are "free" to join. I myself am registered for both the chess.com and FoN, and I have basic membership as well. You can join.

Oh yes. You're right. I meant I'm already in a New Athens tournament.

Yes you are correct!

In every tournament there are 1-2 sandbaggers. But there are 2 types. One is obvious the other is the type of player that plays a couple games against players 300 - 400 high in rank and loses. Yeah they still lose to players at their level. But when they get in tournament they focus 100% and since they are used to playing against players 300 rank pts higher what hope does their opponent have in a tournament.

The key is to recognize them as they are beatable!? Why else would they try as they are lacking in confidence and that is what you attack. The longer the game goes on against them the more likely they will feel they can not win the game. I used that against an opponent here as he laid out several poison pawns for me to take and even got to the point he offered a Minor Piece for me to open up my king side castled position. lol

Ahh, I see shah. Good point, royal - I think you're right! I'll keep that in mind.