user9962: My question may seem a little odd. But, nevertheless:
Planning to play in the tournament. 15 + 0 Swiss system. There will be players from beginner to CM. 
What do you consider best openings to confuse players, set up traps against beginners and chess masters?
And can you suggest best strategy to play in this kind of tournament?
My rating is something like 1600-1700.

user70: In these fast games, you're going for a knockout. You don't have time for a long, drawn-out game... unless you're able to move fast and your opponent isn't.
So find a sharp offbeat opening for each color and learn the barbs. Then capitalize on the confusion. This can lead to bad moves or slow moves on the part of the opponent.
If you play a Ruy Lopez, Queen's Gambit, etc, you're going to play into peoples' books. 

user291: The best strategy is simply to play as well as possible. There are no effective shortcuts like trick openings.

user8300: I find dfan's answer the best posted, but I want to add a few things that I think should be considered:

Against players signifigantly weaker than you - PLAY SOLID CHESS! These players will unwittingly outplay themselves if you let them. You have to be patient, and not give them any chances to actually get anything sharp going. Just hoist them up gently after they've tied the noose around their neck.
Against players roughly at the same level as you (1600-1700), offbeat openings may actually give you an edge, if you're familiar with them. But don't try to play something unsound just to confuse your opponent. Remember that you cannot expect the game to be over just because you got out of the opening with an advantage. And focus on playing well - the game will most likely be decided by who was more tactically alert.
Against strong players, you should only be happy after you've won the game, and not because you won a pawn/piece in the opening. These players are greedy (and strong) enough to rip off your arm if you lend them a finger, so do not relax, even if you have a great position. Also, try to decide the game before the endgame if possible. A CM will most likely outplay you in an equal endgame, so go for "high-risk-high-reward" openings, since anybody can make fatal mistakes in sharp positions. Avoid slow, positional setups. Be prepared that these players will do to you what you should do against the weaker players. They will not be as easy to fool with uncommon setups as the others, and even if they are fooled, it may not be enough.


9962: <p>My question may seem a little odd. But, nevertheless:</p>

<p>Planning to play in the tournament. 15 + 0 Swiss system. There will be players from beginner to CM. 
What do you consider best openings to confuse players, set up traps against beginners and chess masters?</p>

<p>And can you suggest best strategy to play in this kind of tournament?</p>

<p>My rating is something like 1600-1700.</p>
 70: <p>In these fast games, you're going for a knockout. You don't have time for a long, drawn-out game... unless you're able to move fast and your opponent isn't.</p>

<p>So find a sharp offbeat opening for each color and learn the barbs. Then capitalize on the confusion. This can lead to bad moves or slow moves on the part of the opponent.</p>

<p>If you play a Ruy Lopez, Queen's Gambit, etc, you're going to play into peoples' books. </p>
 291: <p>The best strategy is simply to play as well as possible. There are no effective shortcuts like trick openings.</p>
 8300: <p>I find dfan's answer the best posted, but I want to add a few things that I think should be considered:</p>

<ul>
<li>Against players signifigantly weaker than you - PLAY SOLID CHESS! These players will unwittingly outplay themselves if you let them. You have to be patient, and not give them any chances to actually get anything sharp going. Just hoist them up gently after they've tied the noose around their neck.</li>
<li>Against players roughly at the same level as you (1600-1700), offbeat openings may actually give you an edge, if you're familiar with them. But don't try to play something unsound just to confuse your opponent. Remember that you cannot expect the game to be over just because you got out of the opening with an advantage. And focus on playing well - the game will most likely be decided by who was more tactically alert.</li>
<li>Against strong players, you should only be happy after you've won the game, and not because you won a pawn/piece in the opening. These players are greedy (and strong) enough to rip off your arm if you lend them a finger, so do not relax, even if you have a great position. Also, try to decide the game before the endgame if possible. A CM will most likely outplay you in an equal endgame, so go for "high-risk-high-reward" openings, since anybody can make fatal mistakes in sharp positions. Avoid slow, positional setups. Be prepared that these players will do to you what you should do against the weaker players. They will not be as easy to fool with uncommon setups as the others, and even if they are fooled, it may not be enough.</li>
</ul>
