Advertisement

Download PDF

Memory & Cognition

, Volume 10, Issue 3, pp 237–242 | Cite as

Recall or evaluation of chess positions as determinants of chess skill

  • Dennis H. Holding
  • Robert I. Reynolds
Article
Received:
Accepted:
  • 676 Downloads

Abstract

Previous research has found that the ability to recall briefly presented chess positions varies with playing strength, except when random positions are used. The suggestion therefore arises that mastery consists of recognizing configurations that are associated with plausible moves. This approach is tested by comparing the memory scores and move-choice protocols of players in six skill categories, using random chess positions. Contrary to any strong form of recognition-association hypothesis, differences in chess skill are shown to persist although memory differences are abolished. It is further shown that the moves selected are not based on those few pieces that are remembered. Skill-related differences in the accuracy of positional evaluations also occur, but they are less marked than in earlier results. An alternative approach to chess skill seems appropriate, in which memory effects may function at the evaluation phase.

Keywords

Memory Score Good Move Skilled Player Pattern Memory Strong Player 
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.
Download to read the full article text

Reference note

  1. 1.
    Reynolds, R. I.Search heuristics of chessplayers of different calibres. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Southern Society for Philosophy and Psychology, Louisville, April 1981.Google Scholar

References

  1. Charness, N. Memory for chess positions: Resistance to interference.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Learning and Memory, 1976,2, 641–653.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  2. Charness, N. Search in chess: Age and skill differences.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 1981,7, 467–476.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  3. Chase, W. G., &Simon, H. A. The mind’s eye in chess. In W. G. Chase (Ed.),Visual information processing. New York: Academic Press, 1973. (a)Google Scholar
  4. Chase, W. G., &Simon, H. A. Perception in chess.Cognitive Psychology, 1973,4, 55–81. (b)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  5. Church, R. M., &Church, K. W. Plans, goals, and search strategies for the selection of a move in chess. In P. W. Frey (Ed.),Chess skill in man and machine. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1977.Google Scholar
  6. de Groot, A. D.Thought and choice in chess. The Hague: Mouton, 1965.Google Scholar
  7. deGroot, A. D. Perception and memory versus thought: Some old ideas and recent findings. In B. Kleinmuntz (Ed.),Problem solving: Research, method and theory. New York: Wiley, 1966.Google Scholar
  8. Elo, A. E.The rating of chessplayers, past and present. New York: Arco, 1978.Google Scholar
  9. Frey, P. W., &Adesman, P. Recall memory for visually presented positions.Memory & Cognition, 1976,4, 541–547.Google Scholar
  10. Goldin, S. E. Effects of orienting tasks on recognition of chess positions.American Journal of Psychology, 1978,91, 659–671. (a)CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  11. Goldin, S. E. Memory for the ordinary: Typicality effects in chess memory.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Learning andMemory, 1978,104, 605–611. (b)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  12. Goldin, S. E. Recognition memory for chess positions: Some preliminary findings.American Journal of Psychology, 1979,92, 19–31.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  13. Hearst, E. Man and machine: Chess achievements and chess thinking: In P. W. Frey (Ed.),Chess skill in man and machine. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1977.Google Scholar
  14. Holding, D. H. The evaluation of chess positions.Simulation and Games, 1979,10, 207–221.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  15. Holding, D. H. Captures and checks in chess: Statistics for programming and research.Simulation and Games, 1980,11, 197–204.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  16. Lane.,D. M., &Robertson, L. The generality of the levels of processing hypothesis: An application to memory for chess positions.Memory & Cognition, 1979,7, 253–256.Google Scholar
  17. Reynolds, R. I. Search heuristics of chess players of different calibres.American Journal of Psychology, in press.Google Scholar
  18. Simon, H. A., &Chase, W. G. Skill in chess.American Scientist, 1973,61, 394–403.Google Scholar
  19. Simon, H. A., &Gilmartin, K. A simulation of memory for chess positions.Cognitive Psychology, 1973,5, 29–46.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  20. Wagner, D. A., &Scurrah, M. J. Some characteristics of human problem-solving in chess.Cognitive Psychology, 1971,2, 454–478.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

Copyright information

© Psychonomic Society, Inc 1982

Authors and Affiliations

  • Dennis H. Holding
    • 1
  • Robert I. Reynolds
    • 2
  1. 1.University of LouisvilleLouisville
  2. 2.Nasson CollegeSpringvale

Personalised recommendations