How do you deal with nervousness before an OTB tournament or a big game?

Ok, so I always here people saying that being relaxed and rested during a chess game is always. I agree 100%, but of course, it's easier said than done. How do I get myself to focus so that I don't get nervous. During OTB games, I'm always thinking about how this game will effect my USCF rating, and I'm always scared of my opponents, no matter what their rating. How can I get myself to stop being nervous and scared, because I'm sure it will help my game improve. 

Thanks in advance, 

Suvel

I listen to Radiohead's OK Computer album.  I find it to be quite calming.

Cram an opening that you know very well.

Don't worry about your rating. A high rating doesn't make you a better player... it's the other way around. Becoming a better player will automatically improve your rating.

I tried for over a year to break the 1800 barrier. My rating went up and down like a yo-yo. Finally, I said "to hell with it... from now on, I'm just going to play for fun". And in less than a year, I passed 2000 rating.

Does that relate to "Play the player, not the rating,"?

Play the board, not the man.

It took me probably 12 tournaments before I could finally calm down.  I was nervous not because of rating points but because I wanted to win... or if I didn't win at least play well (no huge stupid blunders).

Sorry I can't help much.  Over time it faded away.  I guess it's a personal thing you have to work on.  To break out of a mindset though sometimes it helps to imagine different places/past experiences, or imagine your current situation from a different viewpoint.  I usually use one of these if I'm feeling depressed after a bad loss.  So for example:

Different places/past experiences is pretty self explanatory.  Something calming and positive.  It could be your home, a pet, a relative, your best friend or even a vacation spot (whether you've been there or not) like beach you've never been to, but you can imagine it.  A past experience where you were in a calm and positive place.

A different viewpoint, although a bit morbid perhaps, I remind myself that in one or a few hundred years everyone will be dead and no one will remember this tournament anyway  or how in the grand scheme of things these games really don't matter.  I mean, I wouldn't dwell on that, maybe you'd get depressed, hah.  But the point is a different perspective... pretend you're viewing the event as one of your parents or your future self 50 years from now.  These games weren't such a big deal were they?  There will be hundreds of more tournaments to come, the important thing to do today is to relax, enjoy today and just try to play your best.

Pretend to yourself that this tournament is just a practice tournament for the big one coming up.

/thread

chasm1995 wrote:

I listen to Radiohead's OK Computer album.  I find it to be quite calming.

a la Ivanchuk!  A good one.

Don't expect a win and you'll be REWARDED.

I listen to a Radiohead mix when I play chess.  Mainly OKC and KidA, plus the new Atoms for Peace.  Ahh who am I kidding it's a complete Radiohead/Thom Yorke mix!

Hmm.  He's 13 though.

lol rmurray, let's be appropriate...thx wafflemaster and bleemu, that really helped. I'll tell you guys how I do on Sunday!

I listen to Sigur Ros and right before the game I look for a quiet place and start repeating in my mind like a sort of mantra a few things to remember during the game: Do a blunder check every move, Don't go into time trouble, Look all over the board etc., some elementary things that I am comfortable with.

I try to remove from my mind the opponent, the tournament standings and any opening theory. I deal with these after the clock starts.  

I am not so sure it is good to be relaxed. When I am tense and can feel my heart pounding in my chest, then I am alert and playing my best.

When I am relaxed, I dont care much. Oops. I guess I should have bothered to check out my opponents possible repsonses.

He can get tense just as the game starts. It's important to relax during the days before the tournament, so that he can eat and sleep properly.

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I want to see double blind tests of relaxed vs tense, see which group does better.

My most nervous game is when I have not played chess in 2-3 years or more. And I do not think I have ever failed to win that first return game. 

On the other hand, after I have been playing in a few tournaments in a row, I typically wind up on losing streaks.

I ...need...the stress.

You can be too tense though.  In between rounds I would find it hard to eat.  And between days I wouldn't sleep much.  On the 2nd day (or more if the tournament is long) you start to wear out and your play suffers.