OTB Tournaments & Experiences

I have a tournament in two weeks. I'll try to get the 4th polish category (1400 elo) but the 5th (1200 elo) will be good, too. Wish me luck, it's gonna be my first classical tournament.
https://www.chessmanager.com/pl-pl/tournaments/5117579858018304

Good luck to you!

I recently played an OTB tournament, where members of the Greek Arena club,gathered to meet each other and to play some rapid chess. I didn't do very well,but I enjoyed playing.

https://chess-results.com/tnr1186753.aspx?lan=1

Ayy, you got 3rd, man! I usually played in a rapid tournament, I got 5.5/11 my best score so far. I'm still mad at myself, because it could've been easily at least 8/11 if I sped up a little, most of my winning games were blundered away under time pressure. https://www.chessmanager.com/pl-pl/tournaments/5169477925994496/players/5670429222764544

In the first game, which I drew, a kid started crying loudly halfway through the round, both me and my opponent started playing horribly ;/

Thank you! Any tips for classical games, besides to slow the F.. down? lol

For Classical games OTB obviously slow down, but come prepared for a long match (I know it sounds obvious) but in my first OTB tournament that was classical after round 2/5 I was exhausted and I finished 3/5 after starting 2/2. Other tips include have good prep for your openings and play solid if you meet something you haven't seen before

Openings aren't a problem. I really only play a few and focus on mastering those. I don't think that tiring out is a problem as well, in the tournament I linked earlier, the one I got 5.5/11 points, I started playing better after round 6, almost 5 hours into the tournament. I started feeling less tired. One of my opponents was shocked when I told him that when we were talking before the round started, lol. Thank you for the advice. How does the situation look when I have to go to the toilet mid-game? Do I have to give the arbiter my phone before leaving?

As a matter of fact, you hand over your phone, prior to entering the playing hall. Some tournaments allow players to have the electronic devices with them, as long as they are turned off or put to "fly mode". But generally, rules say,you must not have any electronic device with you

So.. no Spotify between rounds..? D;

Intro: 
I've only attended 3 classical tournaments.
1. Nori Invitational (Nauru) 2023 (3.5/9)
2. Budapest, Hungary 45th Chess Olympiad 2024 (5.5/9 Board 4)
3. Melbourne Zonal 3.6 Championships (Australia) 2025 (3.5/9)

In 2 weeks, I'm organizing my country's ever-classical tournament (9 Rounds 60+30).

Tournament Prep: 
Any plan is better than no plan. Take the time to work through openings, formulate strategies, and work on endgames (Rook endgames especially). 
In preparation for tournaments, find something you are comfortable playing. However, if you want to succeed and advance, you must find and play something dynamic as you progress. 
Simple positions are playable, but stronger opponents will tear you to shreds because they are booked to the teeth (Especially young kids 🥶).

Relax:
During tournaments, moments of jitters pre-game, and in moments of anxiety, I use Box Breathing to help slow my heart rate down, get some oxygen to my brain, and help myself focus on the task at hand (Box breathing is breathing in for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4, and hold for 4, and repeat the process). 
It's highly important to balance hard work and play with rest. Find time to go on a walk and clear your mind after a rough loss, talk with your loved ones and friends. Celebrate the wins! Live it up for 20 minutes, then flush it and move on to the next game.

Food:

Do not underestimate the value of eating pre-game and eating well (healthy) before a game. 
I'm no nutritionist, but I've found that Salmon is good for your brain, tomatoes have lots of antioxidants, and pasta fills you up and provides plenty of energy. Drink water and stay hydrated. Chess gets dunked on and viewed as not a highly athletic sport, but we use our minds to compete; thus, it's highly important that we're taking care of ourselves pre-game, mid-game, and post-game.
SLEEP! 
Daniil Dubov said he's not sure whether to sleep before a blitz tournament or just go play video games all night because blitz is unpredictable.
I say, in terms of classical games, stay up late and do your homework on your opponent and formulate a plan, but find a balance and get some rest! There's no use in showing up to a 3-5 hour tournament game fighting to stay awake.

Mindset:
Walk into the tournament with confidence. It doesn't matter if you're playing the top seed of the tournament or playing on the lowest board. Play with confidence and respect.
If someone walks into a fight defeated, he will play defeated and won't give himself a chance, and may miss opportunities to win!
Play with humility and sportsmanship. 
Whether you are about to promote your 8th pawn to a queen against a kid or lose a hard game in a must-win scenario, play with grace, resign with honour. You have a reputation, and there's no point smearing your name in front of everyone in a temper tantrum or walking around arrogantly. Someone will beat you, and someone will lose to you. Choose to be honorable.

In Closing: 
Play hard, take care of yourself, but also enjoy yourself, and make every moment count! Make new friends and just enjoy playing this fun game called chess. 
One thing I enjoy doing pre-game is giving my opponent a small gift, a memento, like a flag pin of my country, and/or offering a Snickers bar. I know this flag pin idea doesn't work domestically, but wouldn't you like to receive a gift from your international opponent? Trading flag pins has become a fun tradition, and it's a cheaper option. 
Enjoy the camaraderie, have fun traveling, and love yourself while you play the game you love called chess.

- CM Jeremy Ellison
https://ratings.fide.com/profile/241000030

Vanuatu Chess Federation
- Secretary
- Ratings Officer
- Event Organiser
- Vanuatu National Champion