Will going to more chess tournaments and playing the Open section make me stronger and more experienced chess player? I'm currently a Class B (1600). I rarely play at chess tournaments, but this year I have been playing at a lot of tourneys. Will going to more chess tournaments help me gain experience and make me a stronger chess player, especially if I play stronger people?
No. Playing against those who can easily defeat you will not make you stronger. And it will hose the Open section, too, as you are effectively a "bye". If am referring to tournaments where there is a vigorous Open section, of course. When I played in the NY State championship, the Open section was all 2200+ and included IMs and GMs.

There are a few threads here on how players can improve. Search for them.

In a nut shell:


Work tactical exercises
Attend your local chess club and

a. play in your section

b. ask better players (+400 rating over yours, if possible) for help with analysis, and
Find an instructor to help you with specific weak points.
Once you are established at the chess club, you and an opponent can play a rated match. That is, you and your opponent can play a rated best-of-5 match or whatever. Choose an opponent who is 100 or maybe 200 points over you for a real challenge. You'll need your club's TD's approval.