What psychological trick do you use when playing OTB?

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Avatar of bobbyDK

if your opponent forgets to punch the clock pay attention to the board as if it was your turn.

one looked at me wondering when I would make a move first at that time he realized it was still his turn after 20 minutes.

I usually never spent that long looking at the board but I noticed I was in danger and managed to win the game. I don't think I would have noticed it without the 20 minutes.

Avatar of cosmicharmonic

magic acts:  pull an endless scarf out the sleep or better yet out the mouth, pull a quarter from your opponents ear; conjure a bunny from a hat; the works; he'll see you're an illusionist outside the board and he'll think you are one on the board, too.

Avatar of kasmersensei

if your opponent forgets to punch the clock pay attention to the board as if it was your turn.  Thanks BobbyDK, you reminded me of a small tourney I won many years ago with that very trick. We were probably playing 15 minute games or something fairly fast, and my opponent lost close to 7 minutes off his clock while I happily pondered what i would move after he finally hit the clock. I do remember he played a Latvian Gambit, which at that time I was not that booked up on.

Avatar of akafett
VULPES_VULPES wrote:

Closest thing to a psychology trick I've ever used is to make my knights stare at the opponent's king, regardless of where they are.

I always do that. But not as a psyc trick. I just do it.

Avatar of MSC157

Some of them are very useful. Also, it is important not to take a look how much time he has yet, because then you make your opponent notice his clock is running.

Don't know really how to behave in case of technical problems (when you press the clock and don't notice your clock is still running). Fair play (remind him) or leave it (he can use hammer if needed)?

Avatar of TeraHammer

On the more impressive moves, put pieces down with a THUMP! Works well with rooks.

Avatar of bobbyDK

I remember playing against one player he had a big ring on his finger. a ring you may find in a secret elitist fraternity organization.

he would take the pieces making your sure his finger touched the board and the ring was very visible facing forward. It looked almost as if asked for respect.

Avatar of BryPin

Puff up your hair and wear a tie?

Avatar of kleelof

You could just sit there with the same "Really, that's your move? Wake me when it's over." look Carlsen seems to always have.

Avatar of kleelof

Better yet, make a Magnus Carlsen mask and wear it.Laughing

Avatar of MSC157

OK, here are examples from my games.

Avatar of MrKornKid

Never played over board eh but I'd imagine not showering for a few days could work!

Avatar of AyoDub
cosmicharmonic wrote:

 he'll see you're an illusionist outside the board and he'll think you are one on the board, too.

lol

Avatar of VULPES_VULPES
BryPin wrote:

Puff up your hair and wear a tie?

 

I REALLY hope that's not L.V. Beethoven

Avatar of MrDamonSmith

Hey, at least he has a tie on. I think the fellow in post #123 might be this guys brother.

Avatar of VULPES_VULPES

L. V. Beethoven does have a brother... But nothing like that.

MrDamonSmith wrote:

Hey, at least he has a tie on. I think the fellow in post #123 might be this guys brother.

Avatar of pureredwhiteblu

I drop a few pieces to give them a false sense of security, and then I either come back and destroy them or lose the game.

Avatar of vacation4me
pureredwhiteblu wrote:

I drop a few pieces to give them a false sense of security, and then I either come back and destroy them or lose the game.

Don't you always "drop a few pieces" to lower players when they start to win?

Avatar of Petermh5

make them forfeit if they are down more than five points in pieces

Avatar of najdorf96

To be honest, while I do believe some "psychological" tricks otb do have some merit-I don't participate in such stuff. But in saying so, my opponents think I am soo...it's cool in that sense!

Heh. I play every move with the same stoic face, but when my opponent makes an significant move...whether good or bad, I do tend ta give the "Bobby" gesture-if you know what I mean.

8)