45th KIDLINGTON CHESS TOURNAMENT 2024 - Reflecting on my first ever OTB tournament

Last weekend I played my first ever over-the-board official chess tournament. I had not taken part in any since I was a teenager, when I used to play an annual competition in Sabiote during the local summer festivities. These tournaments, which were organised by the local chess club, only served the purpose of promoting the game among community. There were no arbiters, no ratings, no clocks... The whole thing was pure leisure. 

The 45th Kidlington Chess Tournament was totally different. Every detail I observed upon entering the venue told me that it was serious stuff. And, do not take me wrong, I was very glad for it. I had been looking for an OTB competition after two years of playing online and this one was the perfect opportunity to test myself. Two days, five rounds and 90 minutes per move-plus 15 seconds increment from move 1. The location, just a few miles away from home, which made commuting on both days absolutely feasible. 

Overall, I am satisfied with my performance. I played in the Minor category (U1600) and the organisation accepted my Chess.com Daily rating as evidence of chess skills since I was not FIDE/ECF rated. This meant I started the tournament in position 55/64. After playing all my rounds, I ranked 46th. 

You can check all my games in this collection. In the meantime, I leave you with my thoughts about this experience.

1. I have some skills

Started 55th, finished 46th and scored 2/5 points. 

By playing this tournament, all I wanted to know was if I was good enough to at least draw a game (0.5 points). I assumed that most players would be experienced and well-prepared, with only five of us being officially unrated. On the other side, I felt well prepared too, thus I was determined to battle.

I drew in round one after a very tight battle. I won in round 2 when everything was lost. In round three, I decided to take a half point bye so I could be fresh and rested for Sunday's games. Unfortunately, rounds 4 and 5 ended with a defeat each.

Despite the bitter end, I took a lot of positive things from my games. There were times when my position was lost, yet I managed to resist and, in some occasions, I shifted the game and recovered the initiative. I was also quite happy with my openings. To highlight something I did not like, I think I played too conservative, different to how I normally play online. I will definitively work on this ahead of my next tournament. 

2. The clock's speed depends of your position

Using the clock was not a surprise for me. After all, I was mentally prepared for it after 1000+ games in this platform. However, its behaviour during particular moments of the games was really mind-blowing for me. 

When I was losing, the time seemed to run fast like Usain Bolt. When I was winning, it would really slow down, almost turtle pace. So simple, yet so mesmerising. The clock was my ally when I had control over the game and my opponent's moves, but it would turn against me when I being dominated. Is this something normal?

3. Multitasking is a survival skill

Making your move, stopping the clock and write down in the score sheet. 

It sounds easy to do, isn't it? Now try it when two or more moves happen at the same time. Or just when you are so concentrated on the board that you cannot think of anything else. 

Yes, each square of the board was appropriately assigned to one letter and one number. Despite that, I still missed some moves or wrote them incorrectly while playing. I amended these notes afterwards though.

4. French defence against 1.d4... By now

Now talking chess, I am glad to have found a defence that makes me feel comfortable against the queen's pawn opening. I know how to play against 1.e4 since my online rivals mostly do this first move against me, but I needed to find a response to 1.d4. 

I used the French defence in my two games played with black (rounds 1 and 3). In both cases, I got to control the centre and reached the middle game with good prospects. I think, however, that I did not punish my rivals' weaknesses enough due to my conservative play. I am faithful that I will spot these more often as I gain tournament experience. 

5. The atmosphere is really healthy

Finally, I must underline the good time I spent meeting and chatting with my fellow players and the organisers. The sportsmanship was great throughout and it was particularly nice to discuss our games in the analysis room.

Seeing the usual mega-wide spectrum of age in each table was also a lovely thing to remark. You can tell chess is special when a 9-years old and an 85-years old are challenging each other on a table. Something that can only happen in this beautiful game.