"Do you have any superstitions or rituals that you follow before or during a critical chess match?"

Or do you just drink orange juice.

"Rituals", per se? No.

Rules? Absolutely! For example, 30 minutes before a round at a weekend tournament or 30 minutes before the one rated game on Tuesday night, I often get asked if I want to play a blitz game. I don't say no to be mean. But I will not litter my mind with worthless blitz chess when I should be in a mode where I am getting ready for a long game. I might study if I have some idea what opening I am going to face or need to get the mind going with a chess problem or two or analyze a game or concept. If it is the second game of the day, I may eat and talk to clear the head from the first game. But playing blitz right before a long game is the stupidest thing you can do. Only thing worse than that would be to play bughouse!

I don't shave if I'll be playing OTB.

I shaved on Tuesday and will again on Monday. Probably shave three times next week. Need to trim the goatee and get a hair cut.

Or ultrabullet.

First I pour some water on my katana, wipe it with some paper, then I hand it to my second.

You notice Ed in the background?

Hahahahaha

I’ve been around the block a time or two. Ed is older. He’s behind me in the photo.

I hope that some day you are old, too. The alternative is less desirable.

If you devour the still-beating heart of your defeated opponent, you'll absorb some of his power.

That's what I've heard, anyway.

He or she is older than me. Had a bad eye, too.

Blueemu are you interested in doing face reveal like Ziryab?