How to prepare for an opponent?

Hi! Im going to be playing in a tournament at the start of October, and I want to know how to more effectively prepare for an opponent. Usually, two hours before the game, I just google my opponents and (sometimes) their profile on chessdb.com has some of their games posted on it. I analyze mostly the openings that they play and try to find a way to get a position that i like, going into the middlegame. This doesnt work (googling the players) majority of the time, however, and it would be awesome if you guys could share some tips with me  Thanks in advance! 

If the tournament allows it, maybe you could play some Blitz games with him/her before the tournament actually starts.

Bruh it says ur national rating is 1509 i'm gonna assume that is FIDE. At ur level, u do not have to prepare. believe me i considered preparing for opponents too because i heard GMs do it, but it is not necessary.

i literally think 95% of the games i played vs class B and lower were decided cuz one side blundered a tactic in a close position. it has nothing to do with prep. u gotta do tactics, do not make a blunder. 

u have to be ready to kill him if he blunders. 

take a look at this game, i blundered and i regretted playing my move immediately after, and i could have lost, but my opponent did not see it. u have to be ready, because i guarantee u ur opponent will blunder.

u have to not blunder and be ready to kill ur opponent if he blunders. so again, just do a lot of tactics. at ur level

For my age group.......sorry, i cant say it

Its for the WYCC

World Youth Chess Champioinships

i cant say it

because then you would know my age :/ And im not supposed to say it

Awesome, thanks so much!

For world youth, the sections are u14, u16, u18. i just need some advice to prepare for games

Thanks for the advice  I'll be sure to also post my games here to analyze

Thanks

Isn't it possible to use the position that one achieves to influence the difficulty of avoiding a blunder?

"... there is no ‘best’ choice in a (strategic) position ... It is not enough to evaluate material, initiative, pawn ­structure and other structural considerations generically – these considerations should be held up against the characteristics of the two players. The style and personality of the com­batants should be included in the decision pro­cess as well. This means that we should give up the assumption that in a given strategic position there is one best way to play which should be chosen by any player in the given position against any opponent sitting on the other side of the board. The assumption that chess is played on a board and against pieces should be aban­doned and replaced by an approach which acknowledges that chess is played between opponents and that the aim is to win the game against this particular opponent ..." - GM Lars Bo Hansen (2005)

http://www.gambitbooks.com/pdfs/Foundations_of_Chess_Strategy.pdf

"... I can unequivocally recommend Foundations of Chess Strategy to all mid-level players and above." - IM John Watson (2005)

https://theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/favorites-part-2-and-recommended-products

"... A game of chess, after all, is a fight in which all possible factors must be made use of, and in which a knowledge of the opponent's good and bad qualities is of the greatest importance. …" - Emanuel Lasker (~1925)

How do you think i got to 1500 in a year? I prepared for my opponents!  xD

But thanks for the advice, do you have any book recommendations? I am currently in the process of reading How to Reassess Your Chess By Jeremy Silman

no u did not. u got to 1500 by knowing basic tactics, and knowing basic strategy.

bruh don't lie i seen games of <1500 players they are filled with blunders everywhere. there is no point studying them except maybe to gain confidence, knowing that ur opponent will most likely blunder and lose the game in 1 move.

yeah if u want to read that book it is ok. probably a little advanced for 1500 fide but not that bad, because it is a good book. 

bruh don't listen to that dude when he says "Study ur endgames they will all be decided there" that is a straight up LIE lmfao

everyone who has ever played in real tournaments knows that when u are 1500, even higher i would say 1700 and below, almost all ur games are decided before the endgame. because at that level someone will blunder a piece and no one cares about endgame theory when u a whole piece down going in

Ok, thanks xD 

ik xDD I mostly study the middlegames, but im a bit behind on opening theory  My best win (otb) was in 3+2 blitz against an FM, when i knew which opening i was playing and how to play against it. Other times when i play the same FM, and i dont know like all the lines, i get crushed 🤣

"... if you have just learned to play, all you need to study is the section [of Silman's Complete Endgame Course] designed for beginners (Part One). After mastering the material there, put the book away and spend your time studying tactics and a few strategic concepts. Once ... you feel you're ready to break into class 'E', re-open this book and master the material that's been designed for players rated from 1000 to 1199 (Part Two), then repeat this process as you move up the rating ladder. ..." - IM Jeremy Silmam (2007)

So, SchrodingerCat013 might feel ready for the material up to page 158.

Indeed. Lots of great advice and encouragement for you, what else could I possibly add? I'm assuming you are well trained in tactical themes and although not stated implicitly, have an adequate grasp of basic endgame theory. Possibly, you're not up soo much on positional strategy. I'm just guessing since you're kind of into Silman's book (talking about imbalances which is another way of evaluating positions in situational positional terms). As it is, studying an opponents repertoire is conducive to "getting positions that you like". I know what you mean. Heh, but then again as some have said, you needn't worry about it as time is flying by and you can't possibly learn or re-learn a new tournament strategy of preparing. Just stay loose. Do the things you can control: buttoning up on YOUR opening prep, keep up your daily chess regimen, don't overthink everything in prep (some things are beyond your control imo) and trust that you did everything you needed to do to get ready; that includes staying connected to Life! Best wishes😉