I have a tournament in 27th, what should I do ?

I know basic mating patterns, tactics, and how to play with minor pieces(like improve its position if its closed or open).

What are the things I am supposed to improve on ?

The thing is, I don't calculate, its just a problem in endgame, but while doing puzzle my calculation is good.

Any fix to this problem ? Any advive?

Also, should I watch some older games like of Paul Morphy, Alekhine(I found some books like New York 1924 and Zurich international tournament 1953, should I read this?)

My opening repertoire: scotch gambit, italian, caro kann, still preparing against d4.

Any good books on tactics ?

Here is my game played in Lichess :

Play Priyamvad • lichess.org

Play VEDANSHY2014 • lichess.org

My username is dan2out in lichess.org

Just came here to say good luck in your tournament. I can't really give much help unfortunately because I too fall into the same "I don't calculate" category, which loses me a lot of matches. I guess the only advice I can give is one that I see given on these forums time and time again. Book smarts will only get you so far, but will show you situations that you probably wouldn't be in, in a game yourself right now. Work on your end games for sure and analyse your losses to figure out what parts of your game you are having the most inaccurate play.

To calculate well, you actually have to force yourself to do it and visualize 2-5 moves deep if you can.

Here, you’re rushing an average of 10 seconds per puzzle.

Be patient and visualize the solution. Then you get better and faster thru proficiency, not rushing:

Well the most important thing to do is to go to the venue on the 27th. Most important. :)

If it’s your first tournament then my recommendation is to make sure you use your time, record notation correctly (if it’s a speed tournament that doesn’t require it ignore this… also consider not playing speed chess in your first tournament!), and remember to press your clock after you move.

Things to work on before the tournament:

1. Solve puzzles each day, focusing on getting them correct and don’t guess

2. Review your openings if you have specific openings you play routinely

3. If endgames are an issue, perhaps get some free ChessAble course and practice them

4. Make sure you get good sleep each night from here on out

5. Eat a good diet, avoid junk foods, drink plenty of water now and during the tournament, recommend you get significant protein as it will help your energy levels overall

6. Exercise each day, whether it’s cardio/weightlifting/yoga, a healthy body and brain performs better

Have a fun time, don’t worry about results just focus on each position and finding the best moves you can and afterwards you can review the games (if recorded) to figure out what mistakes you made and how to improve them for the future.

As far as chess specific prep between now and the day before the tournament I would recommend that tactics and blunder checking be the top priority also as Cuck639 said when you do puzzles force yourself to calculate out the entire puzzle before playing the entire move. That is how you get better at calculation both in puzzles and in a real game. This may be difficult if you playing in blitz tournament, but if it is classical time controls then you should have plenty of time to calculate. Also you say that you not calculating in a game only effects the endgame. That is most definitely not the case. I looked through a couple of your games and you not calculating definitely lead to you losing material, or not winning a game. These occurred in the opening and the middlegame not just the endgame. At a tournament the players you will face will calculate in the opening and in the middle game also. You have to calculate all exchanges, threats, and tactics in a game.

Opening: There are three things to focus on in the opening at your skill level. 1. Opening Principles. You need to memorize them, and every move you play in the opening you play needs to meet at least one (much better if it meets more than one) of the opening principles). Development, king safety, and controlling the center are the most important, but pawn structure can become a factor later in the game. 2. Tactics: Keep an eye out for tactics. These can be used to win material, but also can be a way to help control the center. 3. Not Blundering: You don't want to come out of the opening down material (at least not without enough compensation for it). I would not recommend memorizing moves for your opening. Know what the ideas of your opening are, and that will guide you through your chosen opening along with the three things I already outlined. Your opponent will often not play into what you have memorized, and then that memorized knowledge will be useless.

Endgame: make sure you know the overkill mates, and be able to do them in 30 seconds or less. Learn the principles of the endgame, and then the basics of king and pawn endgames.

Here are some links to help you learn what you need to learn:

Chess Vibes links: Beginner Chess Playlist (you will probably know a lot of what he talks about in a number of the videos already, but there will probably be some useful videos in this playlist, make sure to watch the video on how to blunder less)

Chess Vibes Strategy and Tactics Playlist

Chess Vibes Endgame Course Playlist

Also here is a link to the study guide directory that lots of resources to learn, and get better a chess also: Study Guide Directory

Hope this helps

Improving Your Chess - Resources for Beginners and Beyond.....

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/improving-your-chess-resources-for-beginners-and-beyond

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell

The biggest reason people struggle in lower-level chess is because of blunders. They make them in almost every game.

A mistake can instantly put you in a bad position, no matter how well you played earlier: if you had great opening knowledge, great positional skills, great endgame skills, whatever; a single mistake can change everything (you lose a piece or get checkmated).

So, how do you avoid blunders? Follow this simple algorithm:

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While avoiding blunders is crucial, I also share a few basic principles with my students. These principles help them figure out what to do in each part of the game - the opening, the middlegame, and the endgame. Understanding these simple principles is like having a map for your moves. I provide my students with more advanced algorithms that incorporate these fundamental principles. When you use this knowledge along with being careful about blunders, you're not just getting better at defending. You're also learning a well-rounded approach to chess. Keep in mind, chess is not just about not making mistakes; it's about making smart and planned moves to outsmart your opponent.

Since you are rated below 1000, make sure you ask questions before moving. I hope you do well at your tournament!

 

1. Here are some other general tips to help you: Before each move, I highly encourage you ask questions before every move such as, “If I move here, is it safe?”, “Can I safely capture a piece?”, and more. Also consider all checks and captures on your side and also your opponent’s side. Be VERY CONSISTENT with this. Your job is to NEVER make any silly mistakes in any game! If you continue to make silly mistakes, you will have a very hard time getting your rating up.

 

2) I offer a Twitch channel for beginners so they can get better in chess. Send me a game and I’ll analyze your games for free on my Twitch livestream. I livestream every Monday at 9:30pm PST, Wednesday at 9:30pm PST and Friday at 2pm PST. 

https://www.twitch.tv/laurengoodkindchess

 

 

3)

I also offer a free beginner’s free eBook on my website, in case you are interested. 

 

3) Beginners needs to learn basic tactics such as the fork, discovered attack, pin, and more. I offer interactive puzzles on my website:  

 

4)

If you are serious about chess, I highly recommend you hiring a chess coach to help you.  

 

 

 

I hope that this helps!