What do we get out of an OTB tournament?

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. 3 years ago, I was excited at the thought of returning to OTB chess. COVID turned out to be a blessing in disguise, giving me the opportunity for study and online competition. I've played in 3 OTB events since the 1st of the year and am now less than enthused. 80% of my opponents have been children under 12, none of which want to review the completed game with an older guy (understandable perhaps) The competition has been good, but not an improvement over the G60 and G90 games I play on another site on the weekends. I'm beginning to deeply question if it's worth the travel and hotel expense for face-to-face competition that is of no higher quality than I can get at home. So - What do we get out of an OTB tournament?

Thoughts?

The social side of tournaments is important, it's good to engage with fellow woodpushers,
discuss ideas, have a drink, the pleasing nature of walking around a playing hall mid-game,
post-mortem analysis, have a drink, banter with friends who've just lost from a winning position,
have another drink,
finish a well executed combination whilst people are watching,
only to realise it didn't work after all,
have another drink...
um...
play on Sunday morning with a hangover and have it be your best game of the weekend.

Something like that 🙂

@64squaresofpain

What is the favourite drink of a good chess player?

I mean... female chess players...

@schlecter said
What is the favourite drink of a good chess player?

I mean... female chess players...

...grow up.

@64squaresofpain said
The social side of tournaments is important, it's good to engage with fellow woodpushers,
discuss ideas, have a drink, the pleasing nature of walking around a playing hall mid-game,
post-mortem analysis, have a drink, banter with friends who've just lost from a winning position,
have another drink,
finish a well executed combination whilst people are watching,
on ...[text shortened]... nday morning with a hangover and have it be your best game of the weekend.

Something like that 🙂

The social side of tournaments is important, it's good to engage with fellow woodpushers, discuss ideas, have a drink, the pleasing nature of walking around a playing hall mid-game, post-mortem analysis,

That used to be the case on this side of the pond as well, and I looked forward to it. Sadly, 85% of the players over here are kids under 14, who have no interest in discussing the game with an older gent, or spending any more time near him than absolutely necessary, preferring instead to scamper off immediately after the round with their friends to do hand stands against the wall (or something similar) The good news is there are a core group of about 15% of adults at these tournaments, but - their average playing strength is in the 1700 range. If I want to be a legitimate part of this group, I need to get better - - Maybe someday 😕

@64squaresofpain said
The social side of tournaments is important, it's good to engage with fellow woodpushers,
discuss ideas, have a drink, the pleasing nature of walking around a playing hall mid-game,
post-mortem analysis, have a drink, banter with friends who've just lost from a winning position,
have another drink,
finish a well executed combination whilst people are watching,
on ...[text shortened]... nday morning with a hangover and have it be your best game of the weekend.

Something like that 🙂

Ah, yes, the smell of the crowd, the roar of the greasepaint. The kibitzers murmuring in the corner; standing round first board learning how to build a bridge in a K R P vs K R endgame, …

@moonbus
Actually it all sounds a bit nerdy, elitist and dull.

@64squaresofpain said
The social side of tournaments is important, it's good to engage with fellow woodpushers,
discuss ideas, have a drink, the pleasing nature of walking around a playing hall mid-game,
post-mortem analysis, have a drink, banter with friends who've just lost from a winning position,
have another drink,
finish a well executed combination whilst people are watching,
on ...[text shortened]... nday morning with a hangover and have it be your best game of the weekend.

Something like that 🙂

This ⬆️

And the book dealer always has old books/hard to find books to buy.

@mchill

I've heard about senior divisions 🤔
You could look into that. 🤷

@capacrapa said
@mchill

I've heard about senior divisions 🤔
You could look into that. 🤷

Your point is well taken, and a reasonable idea - but I won't do it.

Ego won't allow me to play in OTB events, if all I do is wallow in class D. It's back to online games and the tactics book. 😳

@mchill

Relaxing in my rocking chair and playing chess on my phone is better than any tournament.

@capacrapa said
@mchill

Relaxing in my rocking chair and playing chess on my phone is better than any tournament.

...as long as you have a pair of banjos.