Tournament strategy.

Your playing tools need to aid your tournament strategy. So you can either play for rating or you can play to win a tournament. Different strategy. Different tools.

Your end goal matters too. To train to be a GM eventually or to be National Champ. Again different strategy and different tools. And so different type of training.

But I am getting a little ahead of myself. Lets establish this fact first. To be Champ or to have a shot at being Champ you must win a tournament and not just a game. You won't get there if you beat a GM and then lose to a rank beginner. Or draw with too many lower rated players. Think about it. Use as many examples as you need in your mind from past experience.

This was a debate we had too during the FGM SEA games training. Are we agreed here? Can I move on?

So to win a tournament you need broadly 2 things. One mental strength. You cannot lose focus, lose your courage and lose a game you shouldn't lose. And two, you need the tools to win when you need to win ie against weaker players and win/draw weapons against higher rated players. Ref: Here.

Are we still agreed? This will not be easy for some to understand. Especially for those that come from trainers who can only teach certain openings. They will tell you that their weapon can win all battles as well as win the war. So take your time to understand this.

I will talk more tomorrow.

ps: Do send this and the post below to your friends you think is going to NC 2012. Or just those you think is interested. As Arbiter Najib says, sharing is caring.