This is my first time playing in a tournament like this. 10 players, RR format. 5 games from Feb 15-17 and then 4 more 2 weekends later. The pairings are already out, and of the 9 other players, I've played 7 of them before. This is definitely a new experience for me (this is the first year I was rated highly enough to earn an invite and just barely at that...I'm the 9th highest rated out of 10). My roommate is also playing and he's more towards the middle of the pack, but did tie for first in this event last year. We've been combining our knowledge to prepare for our first weekend of games (mostly opening preparation since between the two of us we mostly know what our opponents will play). Have any of you guys played in something like this before, and do you have any advice?

Edit: I wanted to add that other than a 2300 (who I have drawn before), everyone else is either floored at 2200 or lower than 2200. So it's a pretty even field, and I shouldn't feel like there are any guarenteed losses.

good luck!

Abba,

Sounds like a pretty tough field, Please keep us posted.

Best of Luck To You!

PC

good luck man...remember that if you have played some of them before, that means they also know something about you....maybe try so new thinsg out if you are comfortable enough with them. try to throw them off a bit

Well I stand at 2.5/5, but I'm a bit disappointed as I left a few points on the board. I had an ending that should've been a win w/ rook and g-pawn vs. knight and g-pawn but was only able to draw. Another game I had my opponent locked down but missed a freeing move he had (that I could've prevented) that allowed him to equalize. He actually offered me 2 draws during the game but I turned them both down. He then outplayed me in the endgame and won. (He now holds sole first with 4 out of 5). I did get lucky in round 5 as I was down 2 pawns (with a decent attack, but I was definitely worse), and managed to get my opponent to fall for an odd 3 move repetition. The big salvage for me was winning my round 4 game in a tricky opposite bishop ending. It was especially satisfying because my opponent had beaten me our last three games. Anyhow, one weekend done, one weekend to go (2 weekends from now).

Rd 1: B vs. 2114 -- DRAW (1/5)
Rd 2: W vs. 2200 -- LOSS (4/5)
Rd 3: B vs. 2338 -- DRAW (1.5/5)
Rd 4: W vs. 2180 -- WIN (2.5/5)
Rd 5: W vs. 2136 -- DRAW (3.5/5)

Remaining games:

Rd 6: B vs. 2200 (3.5/5)
Rd 7: W vs. 2061 (3/5)
Rd 8: B vs. 2200 (2/5)
Rd 9: W vs. 2183 (my roommate) (1.5/5)