Chesscampeona on the Move; Tips to Playing a GM
Incredible as it may seem, after nine years of playing chess I had never faced a grandmaster. I had faced GM Susan Polgar in a simul when I was 10 years old but never in an official tournament. So it was a matter of time before I had this important experience and it happened at a FIDE tournament at the Dallas Chess Club.
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I met GM Julio Sadorra in the National Girls Invitational, during the summer, after he gave his heartfelt speech on his chess journey to becoming a grandmaster. He inspired the entire tournament hall, and honestly, I almost cried with his motivating words!
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After the speech, I talked to Sadorra, never imagining that a few weeks later I would face him in a rated tournament. Keep in mind he played in the U.S. Open and tied for first with eight points out of nine games.
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GM Julio Sadorra and WCM Claudia Munoz
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Although I lost the game it was very important for me to share how to react when you learn that you are paired with a grandmaster or any titled FIDE player.
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- Do not let the fact that you are playing a GM or higher-rated player affect the way you play. Sometimes we get so intimidated by our opponents that we get scared and defeat ourselves even before we start playing.
- Play your hardest and strongest openings and defenses. In the end, if you lose, you get to see your weaknesses so that you can make the modifications required. When you play a higher-rated player, consider it a "free chess lesson."
- Keep in mind the areas you are strongest so you can highlight them in the game. For example, I like to attack and be aggressive. Therefore, when I play someone higher rated, I am not intimidated as I aim for weak positions or squares.
- Have fun and enjoy your game. Sometimes we get so scared of our opponents that we forget to have fun and enjoy the game. In the end, you have nothing to lose, on the contrary, your opponent has the burden to win since he/she is the higher-rated player.
Keep these tips in mind knowing that in the end, win or lose, your chess strength will increase either through victory or defeat.