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I was thinking of doing solo bagpipe competition, and was wondering what tunes should I use?

The tunes you should play, Jonathan, in piping competitions depends on the grade of the competitions and the conditions on type of music required.

For higher grades up to Open events a 2/4 march event would require normally three or more 2/4 marches to be submitted to the judge(s) of the competition style of four parts or more from which the judge would select one to be played. Some lowest/lower grades might have a slow air event and 2/4 march event that might only need tunes of two parts at least.

Not knowing your position concerning grades, standard of playing etc., I cannot help much more. If you have details of competitions in your region you could ask the organisers/secretary for about detailed requirements.

I found some statements in the Internet about playing grace note on or ahead of beat: "Individual grace notes are played on the beat, as is the first grace note of each doubling and birl. Grips are played ahead of the beat. Taorluaths have their E grace note played on the beat. The low G of a D-throw can be played on the beat or slightly ahead of the beat."

I am wondering why grips and taorluath should be played ahead of the beat. In other words, why some grace notes are played on beat but some don't. Thirdly, if the statements are true, why the grace notes should be played ahead of the beat? Is it because of some kind of expression?

In answer to your question about grace note combinations on the beat or not, it is simply that the grace note combinations are written as close as possible to the note relevant and meant to be played with that note whether on the down beat or upbeat. Often in practise many pipers will play the taorluath etc., perhaps a very small fraction ahead of the beat, although intended to be played as near as possible on the beat. Therefore, try to play the taorluath, grip etc., as well as possible on the beat. Very good pipers normally get the combination of grace notes on the beat or so near it would be difficult to tell otherwise.