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How to Prepare for a Chess Tournament Like a Pro

WGM tijanamandura

Updated: Aug 6, 2025, 2:37 AM | 10

I’ve been playing chess since I was a child and have competed in a wide range of events, from youth tournaments like the World U10-U18 Championships to elite competitions such as the Chess Olympiads, European Team Championships, and international open tournaments.

It’s always best to work consistently over time, but sometimes life happens , and we only have 15 days to prepare. No matter the level, my preparation process is usually similar, and when time is short, structure and discipline become essential. Here’s a practical plan I’ve used myself and often recommend to my students.

1. Evaluate Your Current Level

Before diving into preparation:

Analyze Past Games: Review your recent games to identify tactical mistakes and opening weaknesses.
Set Goals: Decide whether your goal is to improve specific areas, build confidence, or simply gain competitive experience.

2. Build a Structured Plan

With limited time, prioritize the most impactful areas: openings, middlegame (tactics or strategy), and endgames

Days 1-5: Foundation Building

Opening Preparation

Refine your existing opening repertoire, avoid learning completely new openings!!
Study typical plans and structures within your preferred openings. Tools like Chessable, Chess.com, and ChessBase can help.
Play rapid games online to test and reinforce your repertoire

Tactics Training

Solve 30-40 puzzles daily, focusing on patterns like forks, pins, skewers, and discovered attacks (or more advanced tactic if you are higher-rated player)
Gradually progress to more complex puzzles depending on your level.

Basic Endgames

Master essential endgames like king vs. pawn, Lucena and Philidor rook endgames, and queen vs. pawn.
Practice converting small advantages into wins.

Days 6-10: Practical Application

Training Games Against Strong Opponents

Play at least one rapid game daily (10-15 minutes per side) against a titled player or higher-rated opponent.
Use platforms like BoltChess or other coaching platforms to find opponents.
Analyze each game carefully to identify missed tactics, strategic gaps, or poor time management.

💡 Sometimes it's better to play against different titled players instead of only your coach. They won’t know your strengths and weaknesses, making the games feel more like real tournament encounters and exposing new challenges!

If you're struggling with a specific opening, you can request a custom challenge on BoltChess to practice that line.

Days 11-13: Simulate Tournament Conditions

Full-Length Practice Games

Play two long games daily under tournament time controls (e.g., 45+15 or 60+0), ideally matching your upcoming event's format.
Create a quiet space, use a real chess clock, and simulate real tournament conditions.
Analyze each game with your opponent or a strong engine to gain concrete feedback.

Refine Your Openings

Revisit your repertoire and fix any weak spots identified in your training games.
Focus on common traps and side-line responses your opponents might try.

3. Mental and Physical Preparation

Build Confidence

Reflect on how much you’ve improved during this intense training period.

Stamina Training

Long training games help build concentration and mental endurance.
Include light physical activity to stay energized and clear-headed.

Relaxation

Try mindfulness or breathing exercises to reduce anxiety.
Take regular breaks to prevent burnout.

4. One day Before the Tournament

Light Review

Go over your key openings and concepts briefly.
Avoid heavy preparation to keep your mind sharp.

Prepare Logistics

Confirm the venue and schedule.
Pack essentials: pen, water, snacks, score sheets-and stay positive!

5. Tournament Day Tips

Start Strong

Arrive early, mentally review your first few moves, and stay calm.

Stay Focused

Play each game with full attention-ignore past results and your opponent’s rating.

Learn and Adapt

Treat every game as a learning opportunity.
Review your games between rounds, if possible, to fine-tune your strategy.

Why Playing Titled Players Is Crucial

Exposes Weaknesses: Titled players quickly reveal flaws in your openings and strategic understanding.
Builds Resilience: Playing stronger opponents helps you develop the mental toughness needed for tournaments.
Offers Valuable Insights: Post-game analysis with them provides actionable tips for improvement.
Boosts Confidence: Training with strong players prepares you to handle pressure in real games.

With just 15 days to prepare, it’s all about making the most of each day, staying focused, playing seriously, and keeping your mindset strong. I’ve been there many times, and trust me, you can still make a big difference in a short time. Wishing you the best of luck in your next tournament!

Chess lessons: https://www.chess-boost.com/

Training games: https://boltchess.com/