Weekend results....
Another chess tournament at Hitchin. Very poor results this time. Played five games over two days and lost four of them. I should have won three at least. The other two were debatable.
In one, we had a real battle and the guy did very well to get out of a complicated middlegame. I didn't mind losing that as it was a good game.
The other was against someone rated 74, according to the listings, but clearly much better. He told me later it was an old rating and I think he had been playing to a higher level in the meantime. He knew the opening and didn't waste a move throughout. I couldn't get stuck into any weaknesses and somehow never got into the game.
No excuses but I realise that there is a certain amount of off-the-board strategy going on at these events. Apparently one individual has, for years, managed to keep his rating just within the class he plays in, so he is always at the top of that class but technically much better. So, he wins the class. Seems a bit grubby to me but has to be kept in mind.
Worse game of all was the last. Tired maybe? No excuse but it was one of those throwaway games that leave a poor taste. My opponent almost sneered as he left the board.
The plan now is to leave tournaments till next year and carry on the study plan. I do well in the opening and get all pieces developed and lined up, usually with some kind of attack threatening. But I am stubborn and persist even if the attack doesn't come off. Better is to regroup and rethink, especially as a counter attack is the usual consequence. I'm also quite good at tighening pressure positionally and should then be very patient till the opponent creates his own weaknesses.
Whatever. It's a strange world and I wonder what it must be like to be a professional on the tournament circuit.
In one, we had a real battle and the guy did very well to get out of a complicated middlegame. I didn't mind losing that as it was a good game.
The other was against someone rated 74, according to the listings, but clearly much better. He told me later it was an old rating and I think he had been playing to a higher level in the meantime. He knew the opening and didn't waste a move throughout. I couldn't get stuck into any weaknesses and somehow never got into the game.
No excuses but I realise that there is a certain amount of off-the-board strategy going on at these events. Apparently one individual has, for years, managed to keep his rating just within the class he plays in, so he is always at the top of that class but technically much better. So, he wins the class. Seems a bit grubby to me but has to be kept in mind.
Worse game of all was the last. Tired maybe? No excuse but it was one of those throwaway games that leave a poor taste. My opponent almost sneered as he left the board.
The plan now is to leave tournaments till next year and carry on the study plan. I do well in the opening and get all pieces developed and lined up, usually with some kind of attack threatening. But I am stubborn and persist even if the attack doesn't come off. Better is to regroup and rethink, especially as a counter attack is the usual consequence. I'm also quite good at tighening pressure positionally and should then be very patient till the opponent creates his own weaknesses.
Whatever. It's a strange world and I wonder what it must be like to be a professional on the tournament circuit.