2014 Southern Congress 5-SS - Thoughts
Overall I really enjoyed playing at the 2014 Southern Congress in Atlanta this past weekend. I played in the Amateur section, under 2000, which I fell in the U1600 group this tournament. It was nice to see everybody again.
A couple things that were discussed:
1) Try "Perfect Chess Trainer"
2) How many times do you allow your opponent to ask for a draw in a lost poistion before you get the TD? We have noticed A LOT of kids asking for draws being totally lost. Who teaches them to do this? I thought it was always "Play till the end, learn how they beat you" ?! When did it turn into "When you are losing, keep asking for a draw to distract your opponent?"
3) Parents ...
4) Overall I was pleased with my openings selection, even though I had not planned on playing some of them.
5) My tactics need some serious work, serious, serious work. No laughing matter, I did not play some of my candidate moves because I was afraid and could not calculate (or even try to look past 2 moves).
6) I should be moving past USCF 1610 with these wins, so this year I have gone from 1380 -> 1610 as 220pt gain, more gain than I have gotten in 15 years. However, I still have major problems with 1700+ opponents. What is separating me from them? I'm not even a challenge for them, yet I have 0 fear, and I mean 0, for 1500-1600. Whats the difference between 1600 and 1800? I need to figure it out fast!