The Psychology of Chess Skill

Chess play and psychological research offer intellectual satisfaction, and combining these two forms of activity can be an engaging enterprise. This book was an attempt to summarize the progress made in the mid-1980s, recounting the components of the research process and describing how chess players think, imagine, and decide.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 286 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Chess play and psychological research offer their participants intellectual satisfaction as rewards. Combining these two forms of activity, conducting research into chess play, seems like an engaging endeavor. In the mid-1980s, enough knowledge had accumulated to piece together a reasonably satisfying story about chess. While there were remaining gaps in knowledge, the structure of chess skill had become sufficiently evident to identify where those gaps lay.

Originally published in 1985, this book aimed to summarize the progress made at the time, recounting some of the components of the research process while describing how chess players think, imagine, and decide.

The author began by discussing the nature of chess and its historical development. They explored the different aspects of chess, such as the rules, strategies, and tactics, and how they are applied in different situations. The author also discussed the mental processes of chess players, including their decision-making, problem-solving, and pattern recognition abilities.

Next, the author turned to the research conducted on chess play. They discussed the various experiments and studies that had been conducted to understand how chess players think and perform. They highlighted the key findings and conclusions of these studies and discussed their implications for understanding the nature of intelligence and cognitive abilities.

The author also discussed the role of chess in education and society. They argued that chess play can enhance cognitive skills, such as memory, attention, and problem-solving, and can promote social interaction and cooperation. They discussed the various programs and initiatives that have been implemented to promote chess play in schools and communities and their effectiveness in improving cognitive abilities and social skills.

Finally, the author discussed the future of research on chess play. They discussed the potential for new discoveries and breakthroughs in our understanding of the mental processes and cognitive abilities involved in chess play. They also discussed the challenges and limitations of conducting research on this topic and the need for further investment in research and development.

In conclusion, this book provides a comprehensive and insightful overview of the progress made in research on chess play and its implications for understanding the nature of intelligence and cognitive abilities. It is a valuable resource for researchers, educators, and anyone interested in the cognitive sciences and the benefits of chess play.

Weight: 442g
Dimension: 154 x 235 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367772406