7 tips to get better results in Chess Tournaments

Hello my chess friends. Some students have been asking me about this, that is why today I am writing about the things I think you should do to get the best results in the tournaments you play. I hope you find this useful.

***

Check out my Youtube Channel and SUBSCRIBE!!!

***

• 1) Do not see chess one or two days before the tournament

Once you stop playing chess, you are going to be looking forward to play again; this is very good, you will arrive at the competition hungry for chess and fresh.

• 2) Try to see many simple tactical themes some time before the contest

Maybe 1 hour every day will be enough, during at least the last two weeks before the tournament. This is going to raise your self-confidence, and will refresh all these tactical ideas in your mind.

• 3) Make sure you know the opening positions you fall into

Right before the tournament, I suggest you work with the openings and try to memorize all the lines you play. Usually in the last week before the tournament I like to do that work.   

• 4) Trot a little at least twice a week

If you have a very long game, or if it is a two days tournament where you have to play 2 or 3 games in a day, then you are going to need to be resistant, and running frequently may be helpful.

• 5) Do not train during the tournament

Do not see tactical problems; do not study endings (unless it is a very particular doubt). It would be a mistake; the time to do that is gone. This is the moment to rest and to be prepared for the next round. However, if you had any opening trouble, then try to fix it as soon as possible, somebody could have seen your game and may try to repeat it, and you don’t want to make the same mistake twice.

• 6) Make sure you sleep well during the contest

If it is a some days tournament, then it is going to be important that you sleep well at nights to recover from the tension and the work you did in your games. It is very simple for some people, but very hard for some others (like me). I like (when it is possible) to play soccer in the afternoons during the tournaments, and that helps me to sleep well, but that is just me, you need to find your own ways.  

• 7) Do not forget the diet

Before and during the tournament you need to keep a healthy diet. Do not play right after having lunch or dinner (give it some time, like one hour, before playing). Take water to the playing room, drink it and keep your body hydrated. I also like to take some small candy to the game. Some masters love to drink a cup of coffee.

If you liked this post, or if you have any question, leave a comment. And if you think it is going to be helpful for your friends, share it with them.

By the way, this is my Twitter:

@michechess

I will be posting over there too.