Should you eat before or after a chess game?

Should you eat before or after a chess game?

(This answer assumes the original question is asked regarding tournament settings).

You definitely should not drink any liquid before a chess game, because a bathroom break during a game can steal precious thinking time and break your train of thought.

As for food, it is wise to use the bathroom before every tournament game. When eating at a tournament, eat light meals between games and even lighter snacks during (if allowed) so more calories can be shared with the brain during a chess match.

My experience.

Can't agree with not drinking before a game. If you are like myself and a great many others, you can think of the position while you are away from the board. The plus? You're not thirsty either.

I'll agree with the food thing though.

Dont't eat anything with similar effects to laxitives, like prunes.

Yes.

X-lax is also off limits, unless you are pulling a prank on the TDs and give then donuts drizled in "chocolate" that way they don't act like they have a proverbrial stick up the but during the tournament, since they'll become unplugged, so to speak.

Shouldn't be a problem as you ought to be back from the little boys room fast.

I go for bubblegum during the game.

agreed

Heavy meals make you sleepy and "bathroomy". not eating at all makes you hungry. there's also the psychological effect - so take a sandwich / banana to the game - so you won't feel 'foodless'.

Check yourself - your nature in eating.

me, example: - I'm never hungry in the morning, until about 15:00 - 17:00 ... so if the game is at 12:00 - I don't need to eat.

"Should you eat before or after a chess game?"

such a limiting question... why not eating while you're playing?

The brain consumes energy, so eat before you play. Low blood sugal level causes concentration loss. A heavy meal makes you sleepy. You can eat a banana or a yoghurt while you play or drink a beverage with sugar in it. Dehydration causes concentration loss. It is wise to drink water / tea / coffee / juice.