Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/6145
Title: Measuring chess experts' single-use sequence knowledge: An archival study of departure from 'theoretical' openings
Authors: Chassy, P
Gobet, F
Issue Date: 2011
Publisher: Public Library of Science
Citation: PLOS ONE, 6(11): e26692, Nov 2011
Abstract: The respective roles of knowledge and search have received considerable attention in the literature on expertise. However, most of the evidence on knowledge has been indirect – e.g., by inferring the presence of chunks in long-term memory from performance in memory recall tasks. Here we provide direct estimates of the amount of monochrestic (single use) and rote knowledge held by chess players of varying skill levels. From a large chess database, we analyzed 76,562 games played in 2008 by individuals ranging from Class B players (average players) to Masters to measure the extent to which players deviate from previously known initial sequences of moves (‘‘openings’’). Substantial differences were found in the number of moves known by players of different skill levels, with more expert players knowing more moves. Combined with assumptions independently made about the branching factor in master games, we estimate that masters have memorized about 100,000 opening moves. Our results support the hypothesis that monochrestic knowledge is essential for reaching high levels of expertise in chess. They provide a direct, quantitative estimate of the number of opening moves that players have to know to reach master level.
Description: This Article is provided by the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund
URI: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/6145
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0026692
ISSN: 1932-6203
Appears in Collections:Publications
Brunel OA Publishing Fund
Psychology
Dept of Life Sciences Research Papers

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