Psychological Research

, Volume 54, Issue 1, pp 10–16 | Cite as

Theories of chess skill

  • Dennis H. Holding
Article

Summary

The paper reviews the evidence for and against the recognition-association theory and a forward-search (SEEK) theory of chess skill. The recognition-association theory appears to be founded on indirect evidence concerning visual short-term memory, together with supplementary assumptions that may be questioned, and provides no role for verbal processes. There is no direct support for the theory, which omits forward search for reasons that are reexamined. In contrast, the SEEK theory maintains that move choice is based on search and evaluation processes supplemented (or else supplanted) by a knowledge base. These processes are directly evidenced by experimental findings. The objection that search theories cannot account for speed chess is met by a review of the available evidence. It is concluded that chess skill relies on thinking ahead rather than on pattern recognition.

Keywords

Pattern Recognition Knowledge Base Evaluation Process Experimental Finding Indirect Evidence 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1992

Authors and Affiliations

  • Dennis H. Holding
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of PsychologyUniversity of LouisvilleLouisvilleUSA

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