How to not get nervous in Tournaments

This is quite a necro-bump, but it's still useful info.

It's common for players to feel extra nervous during their first several chess tournaments.  The human body interprets the chess battle as a literal fight, and releases extra adrenaline (especially in younger folks).  It happened to me too -- even to the point of my hands visibly trembling.  This is understandable, and will fade over time. After about 6 tournaments my "shakes" went away.  Hang in there, you are not alone.

When the nervousness got too intense, I would walk away from the board for a few minutes to do some slow deep breathing (or if I didn't have time to leave the board, I would still do the deep breathing quietly at my seat).  And have something to eat, light comforting foods like yogurt or granola.

lol i'm in a tournament rn and the best advice i can give is just chill down. My first day i was so stressed I made blunders and practically threw my games. It didn't give me that much of a chance to win but I still went on. So, based on experience, just chill before your match and play with your style. Don't let other chess players control the board okay?

Nervous u when u think u will lose and go down that's a Big mistake Never Play tournaments for Prisez Play for experience and Experience tha mor Experience yal hev Tha mor Good yal wil play so don think about losing and play With ful confidence

just dont get nervous lol.

Deep breaths. Though visibly showing that you are nervous isn't bad. I do it a lot when I play in senior grades like when I'm playing kids who are way older than me. Cool fact, I had a comp with really good y11-13 was visibly nervous all my games and came 2nd. 3 wins 3 ties. So yeah deep breaths and who knows you might just win.

Think in your mind how are you gonna CRUSH your opponent.

Drink water

Take deep breaths

Remind yourself that losing is okay

Do some puzzles to warm up your brain

Remember that everyone is also nervous.

Get a good night’s sleep. Eat a good breakfast. Avoid cramming the night before and last minute cramming before the game.

i try to arrive at the board a few minutes before game time. If I have time, I stroll around the room, rather than sit at the board and get nervous. I also do slow breathing exercises beforehand—you want to pump adrenaline during the game, not beforehand.

good luck. Let us know how you do.