Playing in my First Tourney Tomorrow - Any Suggestions?

Well this I enjoyed reading almost all of these posts here. Thanks for the useful tips, Bronstein- and Godspawn. I have to play an over-the-board-game as well tomorrow and will gladly follow the advises I read here.

Good luck and have fun!

That was my intent, Ng6, Emu, after doing the Nf8, then I forgot about it...and missed the h pawn push; just didn't think of it.   And had the guy crushed on time, he had 8 mins left, I had 18 mins left, Koen . . . the beauty of this Orangutan.   Am still learning it, so thanks for the suggestions.  His g3 push killed my Rg8 move which would have given me the pin...and that discombobulated me and then I went blind and hung that N.    I think I may also have moved Nf8 before pushing the g5...maybe the order should have been reversed? 

Ah great, you're back! must go through your games and give you feedback.

Not sure what kind of tips you expect if you write that you don't want people to tell you to have fun.

I recommend some things though.
-bring a chair pillow to sit on

-try not to pay attention to the opponent himself, his or her expressions or sighs if they make any. I think it is really the best advice to "play the board" and not the player.

-if your club has a site check if you can see the games of the player you're paired with.
At my city's club the pairings are announced day before tournament. Then I look over that player's games. Our club has all game records from about last 30 years.

-I highly recommend learning how to breathe correctly. If you are nervous when playing a game, which I think all players are to some extent, in that case you're most likely breathing in small short breaths or sometimes hold your breath. That is a bad habit.
Learn how to inhale and exhale correctly so that you slowly fill your lungs and exhale slowly. Your heart rate should slow down somewhat and you should be less nervous.

-also be polite to the other player and do what some other players do. Basically some players get up after each move and walk around the whole room or constantly go to bathroom. It usually irritates the other player and it is not polite to get up all the time.

Have you looked at GM Bronstein's games? He came within an ace of taking the World Championship away from Botvinnik (match tied, 12-12) and he used to play that same system as Black.

Here's one of his games against a GM:

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1034323

(check out Black's final move in that game!)

... and probably some more here:

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chess.pl?playercomp=black&pid=16521&eco=A53&title=Bronstein+playing+Old+Indian+(A53)+as+Black+

Thank you for telling us how the tournament went.  As you are looking forward to the next one it seems you have found a pastime which provides excitement and fun.  And, as you post a loss with thoughts about what can be learned, it seems you have the right stuff to improve.

The good news is that chess, like bridge (and to some extent poker) lasts a lifetime.  You can still be improving at sixty seven and the buzz from finding the anwer to a challenging position does not fade.

I'll check some Bronstein games Emu, thanks.  Am liking this Philidor line of Black.     

Mr. Drawgood - it's just that I've heard that line two dozen times; but thanks for the detailed input.

   Now I must figure out how to put my thoughts in the pgn game. 

Did you play the PLEASANTON LUPER$WISS (BAC 1027) 

No.  We played G/30  5, though.     About 40 players showed up, mostly kids under 18 and 95% under 25.   Highest rated player there was an 1800 Indian kid. 

Today I feel burned out and not interested in chess.   Guess I need a break.