That’s supposed to be an easy one, right?

I mean, everyone dreams of being paired in a tournament with a weaker player, someone they can just have an easy game with, correct?

Well, not so fast, Magnus!

While it is undoubtedly true that you have far better prospects against weaker opposition, this is by no means a finished job.

You still have to win the game.

It’s the same with any other sport:

Favorites do not always win.

This is why games do take place after all:

If the better player automatically won each game, then what would the point be in actually playing the game?

Exactly my friend, none!

After all, just remember all those games where you were faced with stronger opposition.

Did you play just waiting to lose?

I certainly hope not!

In the same spirit, though, you should prepare for a real battle when playing against lower rated players.

If you start the game NOT expecting to wipe him off the board within 20-30 moves, you’ve won half the battle.

Of course, you still need to win the other half, and you have a few tricks up your sleeve (depending on your natural chess playing style):

1. If you like tactics, aim for gambits. The Benko gambit as Black is one of my favorites (and it also works very well against strong players too). Weak players generally prefer material over the initiative, so this will help you build a crushing attack fast.
2. Or you can play solid, ‘correct’ chess and aim to improve your position slowly, but surely. Accept piece trades when they favor you and aim to get into a favorable endgame which you should win easily due to your superior endgame knowledge.

In any case, you should not play passively and wait for a mistake to happen; take the initiative and put pressure on your opponent.

‘Good things come to those that wait’ was not meant to be used in chess after all.

But above all, NEVER underestimate your opponent.

You simply don’t know where he’s coming from.

Maybe his low rating does not reflect his recent improvement with the help of a chess coach.

Or he simply dreams of beating a strong -in his eyes- player like yourself and he considers beating you a great story he can narrate again and again at his local chess club.

Of course, surprises can still happen and losses to weaker opponents are just part of chess.

Just make sure you don’t lose for the wrong reasons…