How to beat higher-rated opponents

Here's a fact: in your chess journey, you’ll get paired against higher-rated opponents. 

Most people pee their pants when they have to face them.

But only a few see that as an opportunity to test their skills and confidence.

And get some cool extra points.

In this post, I am gonna teach you how to face higher-rated opponents based on the system I’ve built for my students.

Beating higher-rated opponents TIP 1- Seek opportunities.

Jeremy, one of my students, played a classical OTB 2 weeks ago.

He is only 1300 and got paired vs. 1650. And they reached this position:

Did you find the right move?

It turns out that B made a basic tactical mistake that allowed Jeremy to get a full point.

So here’s the first lesson:

When you get paired against a higher-rated opponent, don’t assume your opponent will play a flawless game. He will make mistakes, and in fact, those mistakes can be right in front of your eyes. So, always keep your tactical radar turned on.

Why is this result meaningful?

Jeremy is an adult improver who started working with me in January. He had problems with his focus and had a tendency to overlook opportunities in his games. 

For the past eight weeks, we have been working on his concentration, tactical awareness and positional judgment.

Here’s another game from the tournament. In this example:

Black to play:

Rxf2!! 

What an outstanding move! Jeremy did calculate the whole thing, destroying W’s castle. I am very proud of how he is playing now.

Beating higher-rated opponents TIP 2- No inhibitions —>Embrace Sharp play!

My student Eirikur is playing in the Reykjavik Open 2024.

He just drew a game vs a 1900 Prodigy. Eirikur is just 1700.

Take a look at the game and the position they drew.

Actually, Eirikur was winning the game! But he had less than three minutes on the clock. If you consult the position with the engine, it is -12 for B. However, Eirikur is kind of forced to find a tricky continuation that includes sacrificing his Q.

What is the lesson from this game?

Most players feel intimidated and don't want to attack or be aggressive vs higher-rated opponents. 

When you play a higher-rated opponent, there's no reason to be more conservative in your moves. Stay sharp, and be aggressive if the position requires it. Eirkure knows this and tries to exploit his opponents' passive play.

He couldn't convert the game, but at least he drew.

Why is this result meaningful for Eirikur?

When Eirik and I started working, he had problems with focus, openings and creating plans.

Also, he didn't have confidence in his play; he wanted to play OTB, but he felt he needed to improve first.

So We work intensely to make him a better player.

Eirkur is a busy business owner, but with the right plan and structure, he could improve quickly and make his training more effective.

And now he is playing much better.
 A couple of days ago, he drew vs a 2100 (elo fide) player in an OTB tournament.

Beating higher-rated opponents tip 3 - Respect the fundamentals.

My student Jay had a crazy game against this guy who is 300+ points higher than him.

This game was the most normal of all the games I have shown you so far. The cool thing is that Jay didn't do anything crazy; he just played fundamental chess.

In his 60+ years, he knows the importance of unlearning things and mastering the fundamentals.

Over the last weeks, we have been paying attention to his foundations. 

What is the lesson from this game?

To beat higher-rated opponents, you don't usually need to use any more crazy or fancy tactics; you only need to respect and follow the fundamentals.

Assuming your opponent does the same, one of you will make an inaccurate move, and the other will get the advantage.

Why is this victory meaningful for Jay?

Before working together, Jay had a 1000-1100 rating. He also didn't like to play too much online chess. He preferred to play with bots. Jay is a perfectionist and doesn't like his play, so he deprives himself of playing experience because he doesn't trust his skills.

Not only that, but his opening repertoire was pretty outdated.

He learned to play the London system and got used to playing the same positions repeatedly.

As his coach, I decided to show him how to play 1.e4.

And this is one of his first victories using 1.e4 and vs an almost 1600-rated player!

Playing higher-rated opponents can be an opportunity for growth and a chance to showcase your skills.

By seeking opportunities, embracing sharp play, and respecting the fundamentals, you can compete with confidence and achieve remarkable results.

As Jeremy, Eirikur, and Jay demonstrated, success against higher-rated players is not just about raw talent; it's about mindset, preparation, and dedication to improvement.

So, the next time you face a strong opponent, remember these tips and trust in your abilities.

Keep honing your skills, stay sharp, and embrace the challenge. With the right mindset and preparation, victory is within reach.

I hope this post inspires you to approach your chess games with confidence and determination. 

Feel free to share your experience playing vs. higher-rated opponents in the comments.

See you on the winning side.

Coach Diego