What is it that makes the difference between a good chess player and the chess master?
If you were to ask a chess master to look briefly at a chess game that is already in progress, by this I mean that there are about 20 pieces still in play. What you will find is that a chess master is able to recall the locations of virtually all the pieces. When this is compared to a good chess player, the good player remembered much less.
If the chess board was randomly set up and there was no game in progress; neither the good chess player or the chess master could remember whether pieces were.
The conclusion is that a chess master might have a better short-term memory but he has a much higher and developed long-term chess memory. A good chess player remembers about 2,000 patterns whereas a chess master remembers around 50,000 patterns.
I heard that a great psychologist once did research on what makes a great chessplayer and expected it to be amazing memory, but found out that it was actually pattern recognition, which is what you are talking about here. A good chessplayer does not usually calculate what each and every piece is going to do, but rather they calculate what groups of pieces are going to do and how to make those groups stronger. In musical terms, it’s not so much the individual notes you have to figure out and learn, but more-so the melodies and harmonies.
This is an interesting topic. Nice job pointing it out.
Playing multiple games (50 +) on line requires the development of game strategy and progression of tactics. When it requires your response, you look at a current moment in time, but it is the result of previous steps developed toward a goal. I find it sometimes amazing to open up one of my current positions and recognize that the current picture appears totally different from any of my previous games. It takes a moment to immerse back into the flow of action to prioritize the next step.
Hey, I just stumbled upon your blog. I can’t quite tell where you are, but if you happen to be in the Melbourne (Australia) are, you may be interested in our Allegro tournaments on Sunday afternoons. We’re just starting out, trying to get the word out about where to come for a social game and a bit of fun!
Cheers,
Jaz.
Hi Jaz, I am in Sydney. But post the details so the people in Melbourne can find you.
Regards
Cheers – the tournaments will be held at Bar Etiquette on Sydney Road in Brunswick, starting November 7.
Check out our Facebook page if ya’ll are so inclined:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brunswick/Chessnuts/143414365679767?ref=ts
And our blog is http://www.chessnuts.wordpress.com.
Happy chessing! And we’d love to see you at the bar.
Cheers,
Jaz.
And how do one move from 2,000 to 50,000 pattern ? Is there any set algorithm ?
Hey, nice blog! I am trying to write about chess too, do you have any advices for me?
Hey there… Thanks, much appreciated!
The only advice I can give you is that of nike ‘Just Do It!!!’
You will find it becomes easier the more you do it.
Hi there, nice to follow you! Bye bye