My first OTB game against a Titled Player | Tournament Recap games 3-4

Hello everyone,
In this second part of my memorial tournament recap the level of difficulty rises significantly. In this episode, I face my first-ever titled opponent over the board, making this one of the most challenging and memorable rounds I’ve played so far.

The video starts with a game against a solid and experienced opponent, where I once again employ an offbeat English Opening variation. This time, my opponent goes wrong early and makes a critical blunder, allowing for a sharp but good middlegame for white.

The second game is a completely different story. I’m paired against the current number 19 player player in Belgium, International Master Stefan Docx, who chooses a very sharp and demanding variation that puts me under immediate pressure. Despite finding good resources and even obtaining a better position at one point, I fail to convert my chances. My opponent keeps up the pressure, gradually grinds me down, and ultimately shows the difference in experience and precision.

This episode is a great look at the realities of tournament chess: confidence, missed chances, and the difficulty of converting advantages against strong opposition.

📌 In this video you’ll see:

A confident position using an offbeat English Opening

My first over-the-board game against a titled player

How sharp opening choices affect the course of the game

A missed opportunity in a better position

Strong endgame technique and practical pressure from a titled opponent

This is part two of the tournament recap. The final games will be covered in the next episode.

👍 If you enjoy honest tournament breakdowns and learning from real games, don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe!