This is coming from someone who is only 1800 FIDE
I think you are very brave to play this tournament and that if you beat Alex Shabalov you are rated 800 points too low.
Playing Among Masters
Sort:
Id prep for openings, and really just go on a learning spree for chess. Study tactics, learn complex endings, and just keep practicing. Really, if they are GM's, it will be very difficult to get an upset, but you never know 
Is it a Swiss?
How many rounds?
If it's a 5 round Swiss (I'm guessing) set a target for 1.5 points. Anything above that, and you've done great.
Anyway, I think it would be a great experience. And watch out for the bottom guy, he's gonna target you :)
It's a 9-round swiss in Nassau. I believe it is called the Bahamas International.
Good luck,
I'd go over some topical games in my opening repertoire and just rest before the tournament.
Preparing against a GM repertoire sounds like a difficult task, even more if there are 6 of them 
Let's make it happen!
Oct 15, 2012
0
#9
GMs, especially with black, are likely to avoid extremely topical (i.e. long variations) openings. They'll figure to outclass you in a "normal" middlegame.
0
#10
I suppose that you have to think of broad strategy also. The higher rated player being GM - they will want the full point. Maybe if you play ultra-solid they could overextend or do something unsound to try to get it and you could exploit that.
Good luck to the tournament, and post your tournament game in the forum.
Don't forget the physical preparation part, go do some jogging or running, exercise not only improves your stamina, it's good for the brain..If you will do some exercise, do it while simultaneously listening to songs. Study shown that listening to music while doing exercise is more beneficial to the brain. Eat foods that are good for brain like nuts, chocolate,egg yolk, fish etc..Don't eat heavy foods one hour before the tournament. During the game if you are stressed or pressured take a deep breath..
I'd be really interested to see you post a few of your games from this tournament, either in a blog or just in the forums. Calmness before everything. Try not be overawed by a rating. I am unauthorised to offer any more advice than that 
Wish you best of luck and hope you achieve whatever targets you set yourself.
rooperi wrote:
Is it a Swiss?
How many rounds?
If it's a 5 round Swiss (I'm guessing) set a target for 1.5 points. Anything above that, and you've done great.
Anyway, I think it would be a great experience. And watch out for the bottom guy, he's gonna target you :)
id say this.
Probably prep for the bottom guy, make sure you get a point, Then aim for a draw or two (if your doing well) against the higher players.
linuxblue1 wrote:
I suppose that you have to think of broad strategy also. The higher rated player being GM - they will want the full point. Maybe if you play ultra-solid they could overextend or do something unsound to try to get it and you could exploit that.
I disagree. GMs don't overextend : they squeeze you. Playing passively against a strong player is probably the worse strategy you can pick.
The best strategy against a strong player is simply to play your usual game, pay attention and try to caculate as well as you can.
If you lose, you usually don't lose the positional lesson. Offer a drink and ask for tips during the post-mortem : could be the best chess lesson of your life 
Yeah, GMs aren't exactly your local scrub. They're not going to freak out and overextend if some player rated 1000 points below them play into a solid middlgame lol.
Offer a drink? I think that would be illegal for him
waffllemaster wrote:
Yeah, GMs aren't exactly your local scrub.
To say the least :D
Now, if you draw the first couple of GMs in an event, then the 3rd in line may react differently... so go for that ;)
Anyway, that should be extremely cool. You might end up playing more than one grandmaster. Honestly, I'd just be ecstatic that I'd get such an opportunity. Just play your game (that's what got your rating to what it is, right?) and enjoy the experience. And of course, get a post-mortem -- usually titled players are happy to go over a game with you, not necessarily because they are nice, but because they know you will look up to them.
Please Sign Up to comment.
If you need help, please contact our Help and Support team.
Hey guys,
I'm going to be playing in an international tournament filled with some really strong players. There are 6 GMs, 3 IMs, and a number of other strong players. Here is the total list:
I'm down at the bottom there, the guy rated 1902 to be precise. I've got a bit over a week to prepare for the tournament, so what should I do? I am already looking at these players' games and top openings, but is there anything else I can do? How should I best prepare?