how to prepare for OTB tournie?

i know my friend will play e4 so ill play the french defence. help anybody?

Looks like you've barely played a French defence here. I would stick to e5 or c5 if I were you, doesn't make sense to change openings at this point.

i dont really like e5 and after my lose playing the dragon i dont think ill play c5 again. so its either the french or some other surprise opening.

I think you're more likely to surprise yourself than your opponent. Why not just look at where you went wrong in the dragon if that's what you're used to?

Up to you ofc, just seems simpler to stick to what you know IMO.

I personally find the french to be tricky if you are new to it. I had games where my opponent mishandled the french and he got crushed very fast. Caro-kann is simpler and just as solid, but the Caro usually leads to draw. It may not be a good opening if you desperately need to win.

@honinbo_shusaku i am really desperate for a win. if i draw this game i have almost no chance of winning (and my 20$ + time spent in the car would be wasted) so i need somthing different than what i play in my friendly games against him.

If money is the reason that you play in tournaments, you need a different occupation.

If you want to win so badly, then you need to know your lines. The more aggressive the opening is, the greater the risk you need to deal with and the more theories you need to know. There is no shortcut. If you haven't prepared any in your repertoire, then it is best to stick to what you know. Just don't make the same mistake you made earlier.

He doesn't need to know lines, he needs to be better at strategy and tactics than his opponent.

The idea that there are drawn openings at class level is just wrong.

Dittoing Ziryab--don't even think about any prizes/prize money.  All you're doing is adding another layer of stress--"If I can pull out a win, I'll break even!" *fret/sweat/worry*  You'll be like a guy at the craps table thinking that if he dumps all his remaining money on the line, he'll break even.  Maybe.

Just play the game in front of you.  That's all you need to be worrying about.  Just. Play.

@Ziryab money is defenitaly not the reason i play tournies, i am very offended. if you are going to keep posting rude comments i will ask you to leave this forum

@CanonicalKnight thank you for seeing the truth

are there any openings that you might recomend that doesnt end in a draw much?

No offense was intended. I've posted twice: both comments offered help grounded in my experiences playing more than one hundred over the board tournaments.

I did not shave today because I am playing a rated game at chess club tonight. Having a rough face helps a tiny bit in maintaining the will to win that is necessary to prevail against a strong opponent (my opponent tonight is ~200 Elo below me, but was higher rated the last time that we played eight years ago).

I have spent many games thinking about my rating or about the prize money. These thoughts have always harmed the quality of my play. In contrast, when my focus is wholly on the board in front of me, I often win money.

Ten years ago, I was the top of the bottom third in our largest and strongest local event. I was very happy with my performance that placed me near the middle in the final standings, even though I did not win money. Last year, I took second place in the same event (IM John Donaldson was first) and I won $250. This year, I am hoping for a chance to play Donaldson.

Now, go ahead and ban me from your thread if you wish.

thank you for explaining your intentions

i play the center-counter or scandinavian against e4, but you need to know the lines b/c in the middle of the tournament i wouldn't suggest trying something brand new to you. i agree with a previous comment that you are better off going over why you lost in your regular opening (most played opening), but if you want some surprise there are many good options besides doubled king pawn openings or a sicilian. the french or caro or the center-counter are all good. but again, i know losing in a system you play a lot can be depressing and turn you off to playing it again in that tourney, but going over the game (very important! try to do so with all of your opponents, win or lose) should help you understand the system better and imo is the best way to learn. as much as we all want to win, if you go over the dragon game you lost, play it again and lose with it again, you'll really gain some insights into it. hope this helps.

thanks for the advice guys but it was too late. i beat my friend, but losed my other game.

In a Swiss there is a little bit of consolation in a loss - means an easier opponent next round. :)

("...but lost my other game." not "losed")

i have three more games

may they all be good battles, with good lessons win or lose