Do titled players (GM, IM, et al) study their opponents before they play in tournaments?

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Avatar of toxic_internet

Football teams watch past game films of their upcoming opponents to try and discover what their foes' strategy and game plans are, their strengths, their weaknesses, tendencies in specific situations (red zone offense, 4th and short, special teams alignments, etc.), to better anticipate how they will play and identify circumstances that can be exploited to advantage.

Do the top rated chess players do anything like this before tournaments like Tata Steel?

Avatar of Chesserroo2

One game per day, knowing their opponent in advance, you bet they research them. Especially masters trying to beat grandmasters. Grandmasters are paid to go to tournaments, if they sign up far enough in advance. Their names are published. Masters see that and start prepping for them, hoping to score some rating points.

Avatar of Eyes1289

I saw Alessandra Botez playing a ≤2000 and she couldn't find his games...... She won but still I suppose you study stronger members games if you can and hope your good enough if you can't.