Texas Winter Championship

This past weekend I had the opportunity to play in the Texas Winter Championship. There were lots of kids there, and fortunately I didn't have to play any of them. I scored a 2.5/5, and I continue to learn that on any given game or position a player's rating can be meaningless. I lost to a player about 300 points under me, and barely beat another of a similar rating. It would be easy to be discouraged, but I am an optimist and choose to see the silver lining. In 5 games, I got 5 opening positions that I WANTED, I never dropped a pawn or any material for that matter, I was in the driver's seat with an advantage in EVERY game, but drifted and let two slip away. If I keep playing this well the conversions will come, I hope. I think I played stronger chess than my score showed. Incidentally, a young kid, maybe 10, tied for first! He is rated over 2100!