A computer model of chess memory

Abstract

Chess research provides rich data for testing computational models of human memory. This paper presents a model which shares several common concepts with an earlier attempt (Simon & Gilmartin, 1973), but features several new attributes: dynamic short-term memory, recursive chunking, more sophisticated perceptual mechanisms and use of a retrieval structure (Chase & Ericsson, 1982). Simulations of data from three experiments are presented: 1) differential recall of random and game positions; 2) recall of several boards presented in short succession; 3) recall of positions modified by mirror image reflection about various axes. The model fits the data reasonably well, although some empirical phenomena are not captured by it. At a theoretical level, the conceptualization of the internal representation and its relation with the retrieval structure needs further refinement.