If revenge motivates you, go for it! But the main thing is to set your game in order.

Before a game, I avoid having a heavy meal so that I don't feel sleepy at the board. You eat to be healthy, and that generally takes care of everything. Also, you can't be too finicky, since at tournaments you tend to eat at restaurants here and there. But, as long as you're eating sensibly, it's all good.

For me, each game is a new challenge, which has to be dealt with rationally and systematically. At that time, every other thought fades into oblivion.

Before a match, I do not follow any chess news except the games.

I keep forcing, I keep learning new things in the game, and so far I have been taking challenges as they come.

Preparedness for a game that usually lasts four-five hours requires good physical condition and also steady nerves.

In Gujarat, we had the world record of largest number of chess games in a single venue - 20,500 - and in Tamil Nadu, I have been emphasizing on the positives of chess to the authorities.

It is very difficult to play a single blitz game! You want to play for a long time. So I tend not to do that anymore.

Just before a game, I try to keep a clear mind so that I can focus better. I'm the kind of person who plays fast and relies a lot on intuition, so being at peace with myself is vital. Saying my daily prayers helps me achieve this heightened state of mind.