Back to Bangkok – and Back to Blogging
Hi everyone! 
It’s been a while since my last blog post. At some point, I wondered if anyone was really interested in reading them anymore. But recently, I felt the urge to write again, even if just briefly. Over the past couple of years, I’ve had some successful and interesting tournaments that I could have shared. But this desire to write came to me after a failed one.
Before I dive in, I’d like to thank my sponsor, Chessnut, for making this trip possible.
Just a few days ago, I returned from Bangkok, Thailand, where I participated in the 22nd Bangkok Chess Club Open Tournament. This was my fourth time in Thailand and my fourth BCC Open. Despite none of the previous tournaments being particularly successful (I lost rating points every time), I still chose to return. After all, the bad memories fade, but the good ones stay 😊. And for me, Thailand is full of positive energy and wonderful memories.
For context, I first played in Thailand in 2013, then again in 2015 and 2017. Now, eight years later, I came back.
But this time, something went seriously wrong… chess-wise. I scored 3.5 out of 9 - my worst result so far. Yet, the first half of the tournament felt fine. I was happy with my mindset, the quality of my games, and I had a few long, hard-fought battles. But then, in the second half… everything went downhill.
In Round 5, I lost a hard-fought game after blundering near the end. I wasn’t devastated, but I wasn’t smiling either. Then came a draw offered by my opponent, and I accepted despite having a better position. I thought, “Okay, half a point is fine. I’ll keep fighting in the next round". But in Rounds 6 and 7, I lost again in the most frustrating and unlucky ways. By Round 9, I had completely lost faith in myself. I ended up agreeing to a draw by repetition, without even really putting up a fight.
It’s not the first time this has happened. After a series of losses or a disappointing game, I often find it difficult to reset my mindset.
Has this ever happened to you? 🤔
How do you recover from losses in OTB tournaments? 💭
What helps you stay mentally strong for the next game? 💪
Out of the whole tournament, I had only two wins and I’m happy with one of them. It was a long game where I managed to break through and win. I’m sharing it below, along with some beautiful photos from Thailand 🌴
If you’re considering combining chess with travel, I truly recommend this event. In my humble opinion, the BCC Open is held in one of the best playing halls I’ve seen. It’s organized by the kindest people, in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The location itself offers great weather, delicious food, and a relaxed vibe. I’m sure you’d enjoy it.
For more details on the tournament and to follow the results, check out these links:
📌 Official website: 22nd BCC Open Regulations
📊 Tournament's results: Chess Results
♟️ Watch games: Chess.com Event
And if you'd like to follow my journey or support my work, here are my links:
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