Good luck! I have a tournament coming up soon. Just finishing up Reassess your Chess too. I really enjoyed it.
I would mirror what Dodger guy said. Most importantly, endgames, especially rook and pawn endgames. Also, make sure you can do all of the basic checkmates in your sleep (at 1500, I'm sure you can.)
After that, practice with some games to get into actual playing shape for the tournament and and rep a lot of tactics to keep that eye sharp.
Preparation for the upcoming tournament
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Yes good luck, make sure to post some of your games, whether you win, lose, or draw. Tactics are extremely important, its helpful to know about the opening traps, as well as every checkmate pattern you can burn into memory. End games, and pawn structures, will help you win many games. As BDB stated, and again good luck.
SupremeOverlord has a good point. Can you explain WHY white has great play and what that play is? If you don't have a plan from there, it doesn't matter.
Sorry, OP, but I would actually agree with Dodger (can't believe I'm agreeing with a dodgers fan (go giants!)). I was going to say something similar, that black has a better position at the end of your line.
Nothing wrong with setting out to win your games. Good luck with that. Suggest you add a second objective - to enjoy yourself. :)
Good luck in the tournament!
From past experience, 1.f4 can lead to quick wins if your opponent is not careful.
Practice those tactics man! Tactics is everything, especially in such an opening!
1. b6 against the English is a very smart idea! I'm curious to find out where you learned it.
ANyways, good luck!
BleedDodgerBlue wrote:
soothsayer8 wrote:
Sorry, OP, but I would actually agree with Dodger (can't believe I'm agreeing with a dodgers fan (go giants!)). I was going to say something similar, that black has a better position at the end of your line.
Gotta give you a few respect points soothsayer8 :-)
Haha! Thanks.
SubrogationRights wrote:
Good luck in your tournament! I suggest you study GM games instead of 2200s.
GM games can be hard to analyze for an amateur. In lower level games, you're more likely to be able to learn about the kind of mistakes you're likely to make.
Hello everyone!!
I have been preparing for a 5-round swiss USCF chess tournament coming up soon (Playing in the u1800 section, my USCF is around 1500).
I have been determined to make it over 1700 by winning all 5, but of course, I have to study chess hard for that to happen... so guess what: I did just that!
These are the ways I have been studying:
I have prepared a very rare opening (for white) for this tournament (I don't think the move order has a name!)
As you can see, white has great play from this opening.
Also, I have been practicing my black openings: The Alekhines Defense, the Nimzo and 1. b6 against the English Opening.
I am very pumped up about this tournament... Hopefully I win all games! But in this tournament, my mindset is this: Draw if you have to draw. Past results show that when I have a clear draw, I miss it! Even when I am losing, I decline draws! So from now on, if I think the position is drawn, I am taking the draw and will not think: "I MUST WIN!".
Please comment any ideas/opinions on this technique of preparation that I have used for the past 2 weeks! Thanks!!