Against stronger opponents in chess

Yesterday I was playing Malay Chess League, national rated and score fine result (4.5/7).
Now, I would like to comment my game yesterday against, I guess positional, strong National Master (NM).

After round 3 was a 1 hour break. I finished my Zuhur pray and head back for my lunch, then I goes out to see the pairing. I was really scared and excited to see I'm playing against NM, which I know I'm sure gonna lose.
So, what can I do for preparation is to relax. I know I'm gonna lose this game, so I just have fun with it, no pressure, well, maybe a bit. As the game started, as I play white, I played 1. e4 with a reply of 1. .... d5 which I dislike a lot. My friend's senior give me a new breath in opening to counter 1. .... d5, which I was lucky because I just get the opening the day before this tournament, and so I give it a try. He reply 2. Nc3 with 2. .... e6, a french invitation (if I play 3. d4, French Defense, Winawer Variation). I declined it with 3. Nf3 and the game goes on stuck at the queen side which is kind of favorable for me. As the game goes tough, I found out few opportunity that I can take, but a defense made by NM was not easy to get a break through. Both of us suffer from time pressure so he played out quick move, and trade all minor pieces except one bishop opposite colour and drag me to the endgame, which I was scared a lot. At the end, the position of chess is considered as draw, with my time left only about 15 seconds, lucky for me.

I concluded from this game that,

1. When playing with an opponent far more stronger than you, by any mean of rating, experience, skill and others, just have fun with it by thinking that you are going to lose. Relax come in handy when thinking, and analyse.

2. Remember that, he/she is also a normal person, just like us. They too have pressure on its own. I realized that he lose one round, so he needs to win against me.

3. Going weird. Don't follow the main line in opening if you do not really have deep understanding on it. Make a move out of main line but do not go wrong, keep pieces even till the end might help you.

4. Analyse very deep and have a high concentration, until the end of the game. Slip up in the middle of the game, or even at the very end of the end game, means, you likely to be lose.


I'm just an amatuer, who try to improve my chess skill. This is just a luck I guess, as my carrier in chess is still far. Hope this is helpful.