Everyone(!) has geared up for playing a stronger player ... but playing strongly against lower rated players takes discipline from within.
There is a reason why your opponent has a lower rating than yours - and it may take nearly every move of a game to determine why!? All too often draws are agreed to, by mutual respect and fear. Playing on in an objectively even position is something we start the game doing ... but later when the advice of the opening gods is no longer available - it's easy to wimp out.
Do you really want to have the same rating? Are you happy with maintaining the status quo? If you're reading this, I seriously doubt it. Play on! ("Fear is the only darkness." -Master Po)
Uncompromising character is a key championship ingredient. It may take only 10 moves or minutes to beat an opponent, but if it takes many moves and or many, many hours - your inner strength will be tested and that much greater for the experience.
The strength of character in each of my 5 national championship students has revealed itself only through diligence and determination. I look forward to students proving themselves, not just over the board - but in their own spare time. Putting time and practice in away from school is a great display of discipline.
"In the Shaolin temple there are three kinds of men: students, disciples and masters." -Master Kan
Every student must perfect discipline before acheiving mastery.
-John MacArthur
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