5 Things You Can Do To Prepare For Nationals

Spring is here again and the warm weather seems to have flushed all the chess players out of their hiding spots and into national competition. Records are being set with approximately 1,500 students competing at the K-12 National High School Championship in Columbus, Ohio this weekend. In two weeks, students will set their sights on the K-9 event in Louisville, with the finale about a month away in Nashville at the K-6 Championship.

ChessKid wants to get you ready for these upcoming events with these five tips to prepare for the national events.

1. Come with a good attitude and prepare to enjoy yourself.

This is not the first article you have read telling you that chess is a game and we play games to enjoy ourselves. Never is it more true at an event like a national scholastic competition. I competed three times in the USCF National High School Championship. My best result came at the first Super Nationals in Knoxville in 1997. I recall just feeling great getting to drive to the event just a few hours away with a good friend of mine. I was relaxed in my home state hanging out with familiar faces and I recall the enjoyment of that event was the main factor in my success. I had a great attitude and I did not put a lot of pressure on myself. I just came to have fun and play good chess.

Speaking with students competing here in Columbus they find enjoyment in chess to be the main tip in having a good nationals. They enjoy the time with their friends, families and coaches. They are enjoying learning where their opponents are from, going over games with their opponents, coaches and friends and playing skittles in between rounds. The excitement of being in a new city alone is worth the trip for some of the students I spoke with.

2. Practice leading up to the event.

Obviously it is more fun when you are doing well and nearly everyone I spoke with in Columbus told me some type of preparation they did on the chessboard to get ready for nationals. Many students trained with their coach, played online or against their dad, researched their favorite opening lines, played chess games in their school clubs and many students were active in big tournament leading up to this event. Being in good chess shape before the tournament helps with confidence, time management and clarity of thought.

photo by Sherri Gough

3. Review your recent games

While this is one of the most useful types of practice, it is absolutely necessary leading up to an event of this caliber. There were about 30 masters in the championship section! When facing that kind of competition, you must be in tip-top shape and enter the first round with confidence! Check out the display this young man put on in round one nearly drawing the top seed, IM Akshat Chandra.

IM Akshat Chandra:the top-rated player in the Championship Section at 2538.

4. Get plenty of rest!

Many of the players I spoke with said they tried to rest up for the long games they have to endure at the nationals. With each game at two hours per player (G/2), games can easily go over four hours long once you factor in the time delay. Students often play until near midnight and then have to be up early in the AM the next day.

5. Decide to go well in advance.

Planning ahead was the number-one comment from many of the parents I spoke to in Columbus. After all, the students are not competing without them. Waiting until the last minute makes it very difficult to even find a hotel room within walking distance. That just goes to show how successful these events have become. Also, having a solid travel plan where you arrive early makes it easier for students to ease into the event.

If you are reading this article and you have not made your plans for Louisville or Nashville, then this advice if for you!

You can keep up with the event here: K-12 Nationals Results

Check back later for a follow-up report with more games and a wrap up report!