Now we will talk about two more common problems in thought. Last time we talked about things that hinder players. Here is the link if you have not read it. https://www.chess.com/groups/forumview/going-down-in-flames-no1

Okay. So here is what we will talk about today.

1.High Ratings

2.When your opponent plays fast you play fast

3.I beat him before so I am better

Okay lets start with number one High ratings. This fairly simple. I went to a tournament (school tourn) and in round one was paired with one of my friends (a 800 player who should be in FIDE 1200+) and he was already saying I would win. Why? We have played well over 100 games and he has drawn maybe 3 and won 1. So yes I understand his thinking. However this is never a good way to aproach the game. The same thing happens when you are paired with a higher rated play. A side affect of this is Over exitment. Many times I have blown won games when I got over exited when beating higher rated players. I have lost vital games to over exitment. When you go into a game expecting to lose you are playing for a loss. and if you end up better over exitment takes over. Here is a example from round one against the player mentoined above.

How do you fix these two problems? Simple!

1.Go into a game to PLAY YOUR BEST and do not let ratings scare you! If it helps don't pay attention to peoples ratings and you will play your best nGames!

2.If you are better against a stronger opponent keep calm and think carefully.

On to are next topic: When your opponent plays fast you play fast

This one is simple. Here is the story: There was a strong grade 2 player. He won the first and second school qualifiers undifeated for his grade. He made it to the final tournament (The school nationals) and did terrable! He played unprepared for the strong players awaiting him. he placed 9th out of 10 and was completly disheartned. He has now improved 10 fold and is ready to try again. However he would have done better if not for a mistake....

He can NOT play quick chess. In one round he played a player who plays REALLY fast. He two played fast and got shalacked. But what if..... he had played his OWN game and drove his opponent to the edge? The odds would be against his opponent! The lesson here is PLAY you OWN game. Do not play fast because your opponent does. Then you are playing into their hands. So here is how you fix this.

1.If your opponent plays fast play SLOW and your opponent will get uneasy.

2. Play relaxed and play at your own speed.

Now on to topic 3!

Many players beat a player once and say I am better!! I took a player by suprise once when this happened to him. He beat me 3 to nil before the tourn (still a school tourn) and in the round he got uneasy when I didn't go down. Then disheartened I beat him quickly. After the tourn I beat him 4 to nil. The way to fix this is simple! Always expect a fight and play your best game no matter if you have beat him more.

I hope you enjoy this! Have a great day everyone!

Chess Learning Center!!