I'm in big trouble - please help (how to beat someone 600 ELO better than you)

Hi there, here's the situation. I started playing club chess 1.5 years back and have had nice progress since then with around 16 wins and only 4 losses in long-chess (1.5 - 2 hours). I don't have an official rating, but I guess it's about 1400. This season I joined the A-class club championship and after 4.5 out of 7 points I'm up against the undisputed club champ this Monday. His rating is about 2000. To make matters worse, he will be playing White.

My opening repertoire is pretty weak with knowledge of 3-4 of the first moves in the most known openings. My middle and end-game is fairly solid (thanks to chess.com). My style is defensive/opportunistic where I look for weaknesses and attack. I try to establish a solid structure, but since I have no deep knowledge of the opening principles I often fall short to the opening experts.

If I just follow a defensive strategy and try to find the best moves, I'm sure he will grind me to death in no time. If I go for an early attack including sacs, I will be material under and the result will be the same. If I hope for him to make mistakes, I'm sure my prayers will not be heard.

So, dear chess community: What is the best strategy to beat (or draw) someone much better than you (600 ELO). Is there a strategy, or should I just bring the barbeque sauce.

play your best response to white and learn from game afterwards?

you are not the one under pressure
the “champ” is under pressure to beat the “kid” so just do your best and dont stress

Just sayin, it’s a pretty weak club if the champ is only 2000.

Anyway, the best way to beat someone 2000 is to take them out of book. Play something weird like b6, or g6, and then continue on playing actively. Don’t become defensive with e6,d6, Be7, Nf6, Bd7... etc. Attack his center, and make him think. People suck at defending. Sure, he’s 2000, but in general, people are much better at attacking then defending. Put pressure, make him make a mistake. Play a bit risky, because he IS better than you, so you are most likely going to lose if you don’t take the risk. There is no need to go crazy and sac pieces left and right, either. Just play actively, take him out of book, make threats, and an occasional risky move. Other than that, use your skills.

I’m 2068 USCF, and 1920 FIDE

Well, when all the chess brain cells ended up in one head, there wasn't too much left for the rest of us

When I was in my teenage, I was supposed to face ex-national top player. My teammate was also ex-national top player in my team. He knew the opening repertoire of my opponent. I was white and we trained for a solid drawish opening , and that was successful. I got a draw. 

The only chance is getting his opening  repertoire and get tips from someone as strong as him. That will help you. 

Stick to a non-tactical opening line you are well researched in and play defensively and soundly. Take your time for the moves, especially if he makes a sacrifice. If you are lucky to be inspired on that day, you might manage a draw or even a win. Remember he`s the one under pressure!

this guy is right, you have nothing to loose really. all the pressure is on him, he is expected to win play as solid as possible , there is always a chance he Underestimates you 

The longer the game, the greater the chance you will lose positionally. So, attack!

#4, you clearly weren’t paying attention to what they OP said. The OP said they had very little opening knowledge and that he only knew openings 3-4 moves in. So why play something you have no knowledge in but the stronger player does? That makes no sense. Take him out of book. You have a better shot.

But, in general, YES, you do want to stay in book, and improve on what you already know, but on some occasions, you want to mix it up

Remember that game where Fischer famously didn’t play 1) e4, which he clearly said was the best first move? That is an example that shows you shouldn’t always stay in book and coming out of book sometimes is a good idea.

try your best! and good luck!

I won my state's Senior Championship with a ~2000 rating. I finished ahead of at least three NMs. My state may not be the strongest chess state, but it's not bad. There are few brick-and-mortar clubs with that many titled players.

The general rule for beating anyone who is significantly higher rated than yourself is:

Play your best, play to win, and don't be afraid of complications. If you try to play simple chess, you will simply lose.

My advice to you is that you should play a very drawish opening. Thus, you are not very likely to lose!

For the record, that advice comes from someone who has only played two official USCF tournaments and has never faced anyone who is significantly higher rated in a USCF rated game.

This.

However, I've never beaten someone much higher rated than me, but recently I drew a 1917 FIDE (400 points higher; he was black though). I had nothing in mind but simply playing and trying to do my best, according to my preferences, as usual.

I have a lifetime record against an IM whose highest rating was +2500 of 3 and 3.

Ok, it's three losses, three draws, but they were all when he was +2400.

 

I have plus records against a few masters. According to USCF's stats, I have not lost a single standard rated game to any player rated U1600 (post-event) since 1991. 

 

__________

Please understand, this post isn't to brag. I've lost plenty of rated games, some in embarrassing fashion. I post this to establish my credentials on the topic.

I was in similar when i thought ill lose against an opponent who was 600+ than me (1800+) that time.. But i played different opening i knew a bit of it (english opening) and he didnt took me seriously and ended up loosing an exchange first and game later... So you have nothing to loose and he has too much.. Just be calm n cool n try to play your best moves and dont be in hustle take time n move.. Good luck