Part of my preparation for the World Champion match against Kasparov was to be ready for his off-board tactics. I did not to react to them at all. Once you start thinking about these things during the game, even analysing them, you’re caught.-by Kramnik

off board tactics: 

those efforts directed at distracting the opponent's mind from the game moves waiting to be played.

examples:  when Fischer played Spassky in 1972 - offboard tactics included:

1. demanding a specific size to the board, and particular pieces with a very specific shape;

2. demanding no television cameras;

3. demanding no spectators could make any noise whatsoever;

4. not showing up for the first game;

5. the 'way' he lost the second game (on a beginner type error);

in my own games, I have experienced a player alleging that:

we don't have to use a clock.  I got a TD to come over and tell him - he has to use the clock.

then he alleged that he does not need to keep score (record the moves).  I got the TD to come over to tell him to record the moves or be forfeited.

by then, distracted, I lost the game*.   the guy on the next table told me afterwards - he saw this dude pull the same stunts in a tournament the previous month.   Apparently these exercises are just ---   part of his "Game".   

After getting the TD to stop by and hear his statement, they watched the guy next round and soon enough, he was forfeited out of the event for his interpretation and application of:   'off the board tactics'.

* I should not have allowed his 'gaming me' to distract me - but having to get up and find the TD in a very large playing arena - takes time, costs you concentration, and discussing whether your opponent should be told by a TD to follow the rules or not - is a distraction.  The TD initially - in both instances - did not want to come to the board to order my opponent to follow the rules.  That too, distracted me - trying to figure out what part of 'TD's job is enforcing the rules'  he missed.

it is also called:  "gamesmanship".

regards,

sounds like poor sportsmanship

thanks..