Essential Tips for Chess Tournament Players: What to Do and Avoid

Introduction

Competing in a chess tournament is a unique challenge, even for the most experienced players. As a Grandmaster, I’ve learned that tournament success isn’t just about the moves you make on the board but also how well you prepare, focus, and manage yourself throughout the event. Every detail matters, from how you train before the tournament to how you compose yourself between rounds.

In this blog, I’m sharing essential insights and practical advice that have helped me—and many of my students—perform at their best. We’ll explore what to do to maximize your chances of success and, just as importantly, what to avoid to stay sharp and composed. Whether you’re aiming for a strong result or simply want to improve your tournament experience, these tips will serve as a valuable guide.

What to Do in a Chess Tournament

Prepare in Advance

Study Your Opening Repertoire

Review your preferred opening lines and understand the plans and structures associated with them. Focus on the typical middlegame positions that arise from these openings, so you feel comfortable when the game transitions from the opening phase. It’s essential to complete most of your opening preparation before the tournament. Relying on heavy opening study during the tournament can be exhausting. Instead, finalize your opening study at home, then just brush up on key lines at the tournament. This approach keeps you fresh, confident, and stress-free.

Grandmaster Insight

If you feel overwhelmed with opening preparation, focus on the lines where you break positional principles or sacrifice material. Forgetting these lines can lead to significant trouble compared to more standard lines. Prioritize preparing your black openings first, as achieving equality is crucial for you. Precision in these lines is especially important.

Brush Up Your Tactics

Daily Tactics Training

To get in top form before a tournament, dedicate time each day to solving tactical exercises. You can combine both simple and complex puzzles in your routine. Start with simpler ones to build confidence and warm up, then move on to more challenging puzzles to test your skills. This practice helps sharpen your calculation abilities, improves pattern recognition, and boosts your decision-making speed. Regular training ensures you stay mentally agile and prepared for any situation, whether simple or complex, during your games.

Tactics During Tournament

Start each tournament day with 10-15 minutes of simple tactical puzzles. These exercises help warm up your mind, build confidence, and keep you sharp throughout the day. Avoid complex puzzles in this routine; the goal is to stay focused, energized, and ready to spot opportunities quickly during your games.

Grandmaster Insight

Daily tactical training is vital for sharpening your calculation skills. As the tournament approaches, increase the intensity and frequency of your practice. This additional preparation will help ensure you’re in peak form for the challenges ahead.

Get Plenty of Rest and Hydration

Prioritize Quality Sleep

Ensure you get 7-8 hours of sleep each night to keep your mind sharp and focused throughout the tournament. Establish a calming routine to help you unwind and rest properly, allowing your body and mind to fully recharge for optimal performance during each game.

Stay Hydrated Throughout the Day

Keep hydrated by drinking water regularly. During games, take small sips to stay alert. Avoid overhydrating, which can be distracting.

Eat Nutritious Meals

Combine hydration with balanced meals. Avoid heavy or junk food before a game. Instead, choose light, energy-boosting snacks like nuts or fruit.

Snack During the Game

Bring easy-to-eat snacks to maintain your energy. Opt for simple, non-messy options like granola bars or trail mix.

Grandmaster Insight

Proper sleep is crucial for optimal performance during the tournament. Don’t sacrifice sleep for last-minute opening preparation, as fatigue can make you feel sluggish. If you have multiple games in a day, avoid over-analyzing your openings. Instead, have a light lunch and snacks, and consider a short nap before preparing. Always have snacks and water or juice on hand for longer games; they can make a significant difference.

Read the full Guide

These are just a few of the many tips to optimize your tournament experience!

If you’d like to dive into all our tournament preparation insights, read the full blog on ChessNeurons for free here.

In the full blog, we dive deeper into key areas like maintaining focus between rounds, managing emotions after tough games, and creating a balanced mindset for the entire tournament.

Free Newsletter Subscription!

Stay updated with exclusive chess tips, news, and articles by subscribing to the free ChessNeurons newsletter. Sign up here.

About ChessNeurons

ChessNeurons.com is a online training platform crafted by me, offering daily positional puzzles, 2000+ blunder-identification puzzles, and access to in-depth videos covering essential chess concepts and strategies. Beyond tactics, we focus on helping players build a robust positional foundation, which is key for long-term improvement.

Take your chess journey to the next level with our free 7-day trial and explore all that ChessNeurons has to offer.