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Scholastic Tournament Tomorrow How Should I Prepare

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Avatar of Porter_7
Porter_7
Dec 14, 2018
0
#1
I have a scholastic tournament 2 hours away tomorrow. I’ve been practicing long time controls, studying tactics, going over endgame technique, and working on my opening principles/repertoire.
Do I play chess today?
Do I study tactics?
I know to get good sleep etc, but how much chess do I do before tomorrow?
Avatar of dpnorman
NM dpnorman
Dec 14, 2018
0
#2

You're not going to get better at chess between now and then. So of course if you wish you can do chess-related stuff, but I say do whatever will get you in good shape and state of mind for the tournament. Good sleep. Maybe exercise. Eat a healthy meal. And do something fun

Avatar of stiggling
stiggling
Dec 14, 2018
0
#3

There's an old saying about competition that goes beyond chess. It says something like "if you want to find the winner of the event before it's begun, look for the person happiest to be there."

So, for example, I imagine that working on chess for 10 hours today would probably burn you out. On tournament day you wouldn't be in a good mood to work hard at the board.

Can you do some chess today? Sure. Would it be good to play no chess at all? Sure. It depends on you. Like @dpnorman said whatever puts you in good shape and good state of mind.

Avatar of stiggling
stiggling
Dec 14, 2018
0
#4

Personally I'd probably set up my tournament board and solve tactic puzzles on it for an hour or so.

Or maybe play over some random GM games from a book or online (still using the tournament set).

But I wouldn't do more than 1 or 2 hours. That's just me.