This might be a little weird.

For whatever reason, every time I play a game of chess, accompanying each move made by either me or my opponent, I can't help but smirk. It's the douchiest thing. It's not because of any real arrogance, or because I see some tactic, or what-have-you. Whether I'm taking the game seriously or just playing casually.

Just wondering, does anyone else do this? If so, have you figured out how to stop?

Bite your lip?

I do that sometimes.

Listen to Pokerface by Gaga while you're playing?

Use it to your advantage

Tick your tongue out like Michael Joedan.

All the comments above are extremely funny.

I have the same problem when speaking to Englishmen.

---

haha what?

lol don't feel bad, you're in good company :D

if you do it all I can say is try not to get caught.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHydngA5C4E&ob=av3e

this is a cute music video, lol at around 1:30, don't smirk when you play madonna or she might flip the board.

I click my tongue when I'm thinking.  Bad habit.  Irritates the crapola out of (most) people.

As far as smirking, I'd say let it alone & just play like you, unless someone says something to you about it, or the other player seems irritated by it.

I do it (smirk) sometimes, but only typically if I'm expecting something to happen, or the other player does something unexpected and harsh that I didn't catch coming.  (Appreciation of unique play, or humoring myself for not catching something obvious.)

The thing I've found most offputting since my return to OTB play is playing someone with poor personal hygiene. There seems to be a lot of it about

Oh great, now that I've read this I can't stop smirking... >.<

---

well played

Lots of people make faces while thinking at classical OTB games.   The late IM Rich Delaune used to look like he was in agony almost every move, contorting his face as if in pain.  It was entirely subconcious, it was just what he did while deep in thought.

GM Browne and the late SM Charles Powell had similar affectations when in time trouble - trembling, running hands through their hair, taking deep and audible breaths, looking at the clock and gasping aloud.  It could be quite entertaining to watch (if you weren't the opponent).

The bottom line is you shouldn't even be noticing what your opponent does, just play the board.