A question I’ve received several times in the past few weeks is, “Should I play up a section?” For example, if you’re playing in an over-the-board tournament and your rating is 1700, should you play in the under 1800 section, or under 2000 section?
All of the tournaments organized by the Charlotte Chess Center only let you play up if you are within 100 points of the higher section. I think this is a good rule both to keep the sections populated as intended and its probably about the most you want to play up anyway. That said, I play up every chance I get and have never regretted it. I don't think I've ever lost rating playing up, but have when playing in my section.
If I had tournaments where I could play up I certainly would. In my area and the tournaments I can attend it’s usually only two sections: open and reserve. So I’m getting about half of the playing up usually. I can be happy with that with my tournament schedule.
All of the tournaments organized by the Charlotte Chess Center only let you play up if you are within 100 points of the higher section. I think this is a good rule both to keep the sections populated as intended and its probably about the most you want to play up anyway. That said, I play up every chance I get and have never regretted it. I don't think I've ever lost rating playing up, but have when playing in my section.
If I had tournaments where I could play up I certainly would. In my area and the tournaments I can attend it’s usually only two sections: open and reserve. So I’m getting about half of the playing up usually. I can be happy with that with my tournament schedule.