How to prepare for a game

Technical questions regarding Openings, Middlegames, Endings etc.
soheil_hooshdaran
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Joined: Tue Nov 05, 2013 5:24 pm

How to prepare for a game

Post by soheil_hooshdaran » Sat Dec 02, 2017 9:14 am

Hi.
My opponent is rated 400+ points higher than me, so how to prepare?

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Matt Mackenzie
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Location: Millom, Cumbria

Re: How to prepare for a game

Post by Matt Mackenzie » Sat Dec 02, 2017 5:04 pm

Pray?

:)
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)

soheil_hooshdaran
Posts: 3148
Joined: Tue Nov 05, 2013 5:24 pm

Re: How to prepare for a game

Post by soheil_hooshdaran » Sat Dec 02, 2017 9:27 pm

I have won players of his calibre before

Barry Sandercock
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Re: How to prepare for a game

Post by Barry Sandercock » Sun Dec 03, 2017 4:59 pm

Then you have nothing to worry about. Just forget his grade.

Kevin Thurlow
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Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:28 pm

Re: How to prepare for a game

Post by Kevin Thurlow » Sun Dec 03, 2017 5:48 pm

Play aggressively, either he gets confused and loses, or he wins quickly. If you play carefully, he will win, but maybe slowly.

Where possible, look at his games on a database beforehand.

Simon Rogers
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Joined: Tue Apr 21, 2020 4:30 pm

Re: How to prepare for a game

Post by Simon Rogers » Thu Apr 30, 2020 10:52 am

I agree with all the points that Kevin has made. Play the board not the person. I enjoy playing people far stronger than myself. The pressure is on them to win.
Remember the famous quote by American President Roosevelt ( I think it was from his inauguration of 1932)
" The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself "..

Nick Burrows
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Joined: Sat Aug 14, 2010 12:15 pm

Re: How to prepare for a game

Post by Nick Burrows » Thu Apr 30, 2020 11:50 am

The general advice if you want to increase your chances of winning an individual game is to head for imbalanced, complex positions where there is more chance that the stronger player will go wrong.
However, if this kind of chess is not your natural game, I'm not sure it's the best advice. You will probably just make a tactical error and lose. It may be a better learning experience to play your normal game, whatever that is.

Simon Rogers
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Joined: Tue Apr 21, 2020 4:30 pm

Re: How to prepare for a game

Post by Simon Rogers » Tue May 05, 2020 7:40 pm

I agree. Mainly, keep the game complex and tactical with a lot of tension in the position. I remember my best wins have come as the result of this. Although I have had the odd draw against very strong opposition in very positional games.
Psychologically it is a good idea to look and feel confident before and during the game. Also when the game is finished, it is worth asking if he or she can go through the game with you.

Nick Grey
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Joined: Thu Dec 01, 2011 12:16 am

Re: How to prepare for a game

Post by Nick Grey » Tue May 05, 2020 10:33 pm

Go for a walk to clear your airways and brain. FOLLOW advice here. PLUS chess for tigers chapter on trapping heffalumps.

Simon Rogers
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Joined: Tue Apr 21, 2020 4:30 pm

Re: How to prepare for a game

Post by Simon Rogers » Wed May 06, 2020 7:33 pm

It is also worth purchasing a couple of chess puzzle books to improve your tactical awareness and sharpness. I usually have a half an hour read earlier in the day before a match against a player who is a lot stronger than me. The most important thing is to enjoy the game.