Tips against certain styles.

I'm playing in a small tournament at my local college. I know most of the stronger players (we are all beginner to intermediate) but haven't played them in more than a handful of games

The two guys to beat have very distinct styles that I am wondering if anyone can offer advice on. 

So to start, my style is usually to develop fast and open the center. I like tactics but again am not a super strong player and would say that most of my games are won or lost depending on who blunders first. I haven't developed the skill to really force a lot of moves out of my opponent, or truly control the board.

First, the weaker of the two: He trades pieces as fast as possible. I've been working on developing solidly, but this guy just blasts out and trades every piece he can. I haven't ever seen him play a game that didn't quickly reach an end game of rook vs rook. How can I slow this down? I would assume he is better in those situations than me so should I try and close the positions? Again that would take me out of my element as well. Any tips?

Second, the stronger player. He seems to have a vast array of opening traps and typically brings his queen out early to implement them. Very aggressive, tactical, confident. I haven't seen him lose a game yet but did see him get in trouble once, and psychologically it looked like he was going to snap!

So if anyone can offer advice as to how to approach these players/games then I would really appreciate the help!

Well, there is no way of actually stopping someone to trade pieces, you can play closed games, but they tend to depend on precise calculations.

This is one example when I will always trade pieces, when I have no better idea.

For trap guy, most if not every trap, starts with allowing you to win a piece or a pawn. Every time you think you will win free pawn or more, think again. You know, there are not million traps in openings. You can check most of them on youtube, or on wikipedia, not to learn them all, but just to recognize them, so you would not fall into them. Aggressive players depends on pieces, less of them on board, less he can do with his attack.

I think you'll go far. This is a lucid and candid assessment of the play at your standard, which is extremely unusual.

With regards to the dude who likes to exchange pieces - make sure it's done on your terms. Make him exchange on squares that will bring your pieces on to better squares. If he really is hellbent on exchanging everything, he'll have to make positional concessions to do so. Look out for them and try to exploit them.

You should have the mindset that going down to an ending where you have an advantage is a GOOD thing for you. Don't be afraid of the endgame, especially where you have the advantage.

Apart from that, my advice for taking on the 'tactical' player is for you to practice a lot of tactics yourself. Only when you are tactically confident will you feel able to match him.

Thanks for the tips, I submitted my loss against the stronger player for analysis. Tomorrow I expect to play the other guy for the fourth round of the local tournament. He is the one who trades constantly and I have beaten him several times since It was recommended to trade on my terms, not his.

Against your tactical/aggressive player => Another tip that was sort of an epiphany for me a while back  => Stop trying to be the guy who forces things to happen.   Initiating trades (covered already!) , initiating break moves (unless they are key!), attacking his pieces en-prise (with no follow-through / plan)  and giving check (for the sake of checking) and actually helping him in the process.  

Don't be *that* guy :)

At the lower-intermediate player levels, 9 times out of 10 :

- Breaking the tension (forcing things) is a mistake.
- Pushing a pawn to react to a threat/attack is a mistake.

So that's a good thumb rule to be aware of.

Just improve each piece, collect small advantages and patiently wait for him to over-extend.  He will try to force the issue and attack prematurely => at that point ... take a deep look at the position for weaknesses that he will evidently create for himself.   Don't play defensively ... think defense first and just avoid giving him hooks.  Most players who fit his profile ALMOST ALWAYS over-extend and lash out if you're not giving him a cookie to begin with.

I wouldnt try to make it a rps contest by focusing on outdoing someones "style".. if they all are low-meduim players, then you have a huge opportunity to beat these guys nearly every time if you get a huge boost to your tactical skills. just take a tactics book and blast through it time and time again. it sounds dull, but this is the quickest way to beat anyone of any style.

and as for trading pieces.. remember that "no trade is an even trade" one side should alway come out better on a trade. so if hes trading every time without thinking, then whos going to reap the benefits? you are. he is going to lose the bishop pair early. I would just do a fianchetto opening so I can preserve my bishop pair and when he gets to the endgame he wants he will be dead