I was discussing with one of my friends tournament ettiquite, and the first thing he wanted to tell me about were his methods of gaining a Phycological Advantage over his opponent. At first I was confused about what he meant and he went on to explain some of them which I found quite interesting.

The Staredown- While playing white, you politely ask your opponent to start the game clock, and make your opening move, and after he/she counters, you simply sit staring straight faced at them for anywhere from 15 seconds to a full minute. This apparently rattles your opponents nerves?

The Laughing Fit- This "tactic" can be displayed anytime during a game, but its better near the opening. You make your move, and right after u hit your clock you start laughing uncontrolably, so much so that you must leave the room. This will make your opponent think they have a blatently obvious move they're supposed to make and over think/get distracted from the line they were playing?

I found these slightly interesting, if you have any other quirks such as these, or think these are simply ridiculous feel free to share your opinion

necer herd of thows trix, as they are time wasters and totaly pointless. I do know that chesplayers have used severel other tactics, like always sittin so the oponer gets the sun in the eyes, or if not posible, se to it that the sun is on his left side. Make your oponent eat 15 minuts befor (you dont eat). and i know fore a fact thar grandmasters have pleyglas sheats betwen them under the table because they used to kick eatsh other. modern tricks, wen playing with the clock is to stair at it repetedly with playd anxusnes, move around in your chair and knocking the clock slitly out of position att the end of your turn. theas things usualy make your oponent unbalensd

Anyone who plays any of the above "tricks" is a complete and utter plonker. Not only are they obvious, but a loud and public rebuke would almost always turn the tables. They are also the stuff of myth and legend... "get your opponent to eat" ha! ha! ha! ... you live together or something? what rot!

Thanks for your opinions guys, I just wanted to make sure I wasnt the only one that thought this sounded ridiculous

This is burring game ever i seen.I love play chess fast,way should i must wait 1 to 3 days?....... funny.

sam wrote: This is burring game ever i seen.I love play chess fast,way should i must wait 1 to 3 days?....... funny.

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I believe poor sam misses the point.

I think I'm quoting something I've read, but I've heard of stuff like eating crisp packets or noisy food to distract opponents.  Also stuff like making a move then standing up and walking away from the table which is supposed to make your opponent think that you know the position so well you don't need to analyse it.  Also thrusting pieces out and banging them down indicating it's a decisive move, so your opponent wastes time going over the position again to make sure he hasn't missed something (could backfire of course).  Saying "oh my goodness" to make your opponent think you have made a blunder, wasting their time looking for it again.  Also talking loudly before you game begins with a nearby friend about how you been watching some Gm's games and studying them for the last weeks and that you have a some novelties in store, which is meant to intimidate your opponent. Not that I condone such tactics however.