So, Trevor started out the tournament with an uphill match against a 2600+ rated grandmaster. Then yesterday he was able to coast a bit, playing first an "A" player (rating of 1800-2000) and then a "B" player (1600-1800) and winning both rounds (Trevor, with a rating between 2000-2200, is an "Expert").
Well, guess what? This morning looks to be another long, slow ascent against a grandmaster (a slightly lower-rated one this time around). Poor kid--good thing he has a strong, young heart!
Actually, Trevor much prefers the tougher opponents. The risk of losing is greater, of course, but the playing experience is much more valuable. And a loss to someone so highly rated does not have as negative an effect on one's own rating as losing to someone who is lower-rated (does that make sense?). Still, the extreme swings can't be easy. They are also a little surprising, since Trevor is playing in the top rating class for this tournament. Lower-rated players have the option of competing in a lower rating class, but some of them prefer to play "up"--thus getting to play people like Trevor!
Two grandmasters in one tournament. And who knows . . . maybe a draw or even a win against one of them?
I'll let you know!
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