Chess Rituals and Superstitions

All sports have some rituals or superstitions.

Football players wear the same underwear without washing until they lose.

Baseball players chew gum instead of brushing their teeth the day before a game.

Basketball players gargle salt water.

(None of these are true but they get you thinking)

What do you do as a ritual or superstition to prepare for a big tournament. Do you sleep with your pieces? Check the batteries in your clock 27 times? Rub the Queens crown? Set your chess pieces up on an alter and pray to them?

I've thought about all of the above. My favorite ritual is blaming my pieces for losing and destroying them after the game. Never use a losing set twice. : )

I don't shave the day of a tournament (I rather suspect Grischuk employs this ritual as well).

 I suspect the same. Have you ever seen him in person?

none.  I um...try to eat a healthy meal the night before and disguise two energy drinks in an apple juice bottle for the game.

No, I just don't want the opponent making excuses...saying I was hyped up on caffeine and taurine.  It's not good for my image.

I'd think it would likely be worse for your opponent's image unless they've already got a reputation as a frivolous complainer.