First Tournament Prep

I mean this is going to be a beginner tournament (no offense) so need to study for opening prep. Just stay relaxed and try not to play or study too much chess

My thoughts on preparing for this tournament are a few things: 1. Is focus on tactics the most. Do puzzles on this site, and if you want to use a book then get a tactics book. This will help you recognize patterns that you can execute in your games. 2. Is make sure that you are blunder checking every move in your games. Anyone under 1000 (this includes USCF under 1000 rated players) blunder every game. This will help you the most. 3. When it comes to openings don't bother with trying to learn specific openings. The players you are playing won't play any opening they are trying to like they are suppose to (if they can do that then are very underrated, and you will probably lose the game even if you play the opening perfectly). Focus on the opening principles. When it comes to the opening I tell under 1000 rated players to focus on three things. 1. Is the opening principles 2. Tactics 3. Not Blundering. Only one of these things applies only to the opening and those are the principles. 4. Is learn and know the overkill mates and focus on learning the principles of the endgame.

When it comes to playing games on this site I would focus on only playing rapid games, and ideally playing games of 15|10 time controls or longer. Unless this is a blitz tournament with faster time controls you are going to want to be used to playing longer time controls then the bullet time controls I see you playing on the site.

For your expectations for the tournament itself expect to play players that are stronger than you are used to playing on this site. For perspective a player with a USCF rating of 500 would be somewhere around 700 to 800 rated on this site. If this is a classically rated tournament then you should have plenty of time to think about your moves, and blunder check all your moves. Also always ask yourself why did my opponent play the move that they made.

Hope this helps.

Here are some resources to help you out in your prep for the tournament:

Chess Vibes Endgame playlist (videos 1-2, 5, and 7 are the ones to watch for right now)

Chess Vibes beginner Course Playlist (this playlist has a lot for you to learn from video 14 is how to blunder check, and this video is a must)

Chess Vibes Why you keep blundering video (Another great video on preventing blundering)

Opening principles Article

Endgame Principles Article

Focus on playing slow, deliberate games rather than blitz or bullet to improve your decision-making process.

Good luck! I remember my first tournament...I lost to scholars mate 3 times... I took me a while to recover from that one...Honestly, don't stress too much. Your first tournament should be more about the experience. Regardless, do 15-20 minutes of puzzles a day, remember how to defend against scholars mate, and remember, TOUCH MOVE AND TOUCH TAKE... I lost to a 1800 OTB the other day because of this...

@1

"What’s some good realistic prep to do in the next 2 weeks?"
++ Outdoor physical exercise to boost stamina. Play a few practice games with the same time control as the tournament against a strong engine.

LOCK IN ITS NOW OR NEVER!!!!😤😤😤😤😤

1. Learn chess notation (and practice it).

2. Never forget to hit your clock after you move.

Don't be afraid of your opponent believe in yourself that you can do it!

@Zebra68116

Is your mind is ready, and your heart′s on fire?
Are you gonna push it over the wire?
Do you have perfect timing, tight as a drum?

Then final battle′s already won.