Between Clocks and Pieces: How I prepared to compete in 3D Chess (OTB)

Hello my friends! With my dad, I prepared based on what was discussed in the previous article and what is developed in this one, both theoretically and motivationally with an emphasis on a positive attitude at all times, which was essential, as always. The practical part involved playing on the physical board with the clock and algebraic notation, about 12 games with breaks throughout the weekend.

Tips we kept in mind and that I'm sharing with you:

Get a good night's sleep (at least 8 hours).

Eat a light but energizing breakfast: fruit, oatmeal, eggs, or something that keeps you focused without feeling tired.

Arrive early to the event to relax and get your bearings.

Don't rush: in Swiss tournaments, a single loss due to nerves can be costly.

Secure points against weaker opponents. Don't strive to shine, but rather to constantly score.

Take care of the clock: manage your time. We used the Chess Clock app. Don't get into unnecessary trouble, but don't dwell on endless reflections either.
My dad increased the difficulty level; in the first few games, he didn't write down the moves and regularly missed the clock.
 
At this point, the only reflection I kept in mind was what my father told me: "Focus on the present, don't look at the past, because otherwise, the future will run over you."

Check the table between rounds: understand what it takes to qualify or move up.

Each round starts from scratch. It doesn't matter if you won or lost the previous round.

Be confident without being arrogant. Play seriously, but enjoy the experience.

If you're in a bad position, don't give up. Many people give up quickly. You have to fight for every move.

Technical Recommendations
Use openings you know well. Plan and prepare tactics and tricks to apply during the tournament.
In endgames, rook + pawn are common. Be aware of the opposite colors of bishops and how to cut off the opposing king.

And the most important thing in my case was:
That I had fun and felt proud of representing my high school.

To be continued in the next post
Contributor of this post: @MasterMindV