Chess Puzzles Series

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Blindfold

Interpretation of testing results

Chess & Intelligence Chess Abilities Variations Calculation BF - Why Different?

Our interpretation of testing results is based on data from numerous psychological studies featuring the participation of more than 200 chessplayers with qualification ranging from novices to international grandmasters (with an Elo of about 2,600). The research was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Bart. Some of the investigations were carried out in cooperation with V.Sukhanov and V.Kozyak.

This article presents a detailed discussion of the testing results. We would like to explain here what practical information can be derived from the testing figures and how to use that information to improve your chess skills.

Below you will find an interpretation of the following user testing parameters:

Accuracy number of correct responses as a percentage of the total number of moves in the test;

Speed user's average time per one response;

Memory average number of pieces restored correctly following an error;

Hints number of requests for hints;

Oversteppings number of failures to respond within the allotted time interval.

The real essentials are the first two parameters; as for the others, they only play an auxiliary role. The estimate of a parameter (high, low, or medium) is determined by comparison with mean norms set for the qualification group the user belongs to (judging by the Elo rating he/she typed in at the first start).

High Accuracy

The imagination of chessplayers whose testing accuracy is high functions rather properly as they penetrate deeper into game lines. They visualize intermediate positions quite clearly, and can calculate several variations at a time (normally with a high degree of precision). Such players would rather go through the variations "to the very end." They have a propensity for standard positions with concrete play, where they feel best. A likely drawback is a tendency to take stereotyped decisions.

To players who have demonstrated high accuracy we can say this much. The type of position you ought to strive for is one in which correct decisions hinge primarily on comprehensive and profound calculation of the variations. In view of that, you are also advised to select your debut repertoire from that standpoint. In your training put more emphasis on developing positional playing skills, on taking decisions "from general considerations," without resorting to in-depth counting.

Low Accuracy

If a user's accuracy is low, this means that images of intermediate positions flashing in his/her mind during the calculation process are usually rather hazy. No wonder chessplayers in this category are not - shall we say - quite brilliant at in-depth counting, which fault they compensate for by reviewing an increased number of initially available continuations. As compared to other chessplayers, their readiness to take decisions on the basis of generalizing the position's strategic features is more pronounced. Their variations calculation is "economical" - they do not try counting lines "to the end" and instead confine themselves to the evaluation of a variety of not too distant situations. As a result, players of this sort are more likely to commit errors in positions requiring a lot of calculation work.

Our recommendation to players with low counting accuracy is this: try to avoid situations which demand in-depth calculation and strive for positional play instead. For your games you should primarily select debuts leading to strategic play. Your top training priority should be the development of calculation abilities. Well, you were so lucky in this respect, friends, for Prof. Clever is just the right person to help you with your problems! Speed

High Speed

"Speedy" chessplayers calculate variations rather quickly, their counting being primarily intuitive in nature: the variations descend upon them sort of "out of the blue" and can be seen in their entirety; the mind seems to skip the images of intermediate positions. An ability like that is of course a valuable gift; yet there is also a dark side to it, for a fast-counting player may easily leave out a good possibility available beyond the realm of the calculated variation.

For chessplayers belonging to this category we have this piece of advice. Rationalize your thinking. Thus, once a variation has been calculated and everything seems to be all right, try looking for new horizons - and don't neglect checking the already examined lines! Of course, you shouldn't constrain or twist your natural mode of thinking in a tourney or match game! It has been shown that high speed is among the most important indicators of chess talent - and, for that matter, of talent in general!

Low Speed

Chessplayers of this type calculate game lines slowly but rather fundamentally, trying to examine as many branches of the variation tree as possible. However, a lot of time may be wasted that way, so for quite a few of them time trouble is a frequent companion.

If you are a slow-calculating player, it is advisable to place the emphasis of your training efforts on the development of intuition. You may also profit by placing more trust in the first impression! As for Prof. Clever, that gentleman says he is determined to do anything he can to help you train your calculation speed. His first recommendation is to play games under limited time conditions.

Medium Accuracy and medium Speed

If the testing has revealed that your accuracy and speed are moderate, this means that your calculating abilities have been developed to a degree typical of chessplayers of your qualification. Use the Dynamic Pairs, AlterWay, Chess Mazes, and/or other Chess Puzzles Series games if you strive for greater achievements.

Memory

This auxiliary parameter is significant and liable to interpretation only if your accuracy in the tests was no less than 70%. It serves to provide additional information on the efficiency of your operative memory during the calculation of variations. Here we would like to draw your attention to a point which is essential for practical play.

You made an error and the program prompted you to restore the position of the pieces involved in the test . Did you face serious difficulties in doing so? If you were able to correctly "locate" just a small fraction of the pieces involved in the test, it means that the mental images of pieces' disposition are not stable enough in your brain, and can be easily impaired by various kinds of disturbances, including both external effects (e.g. a loud-spoken word, sharp electric light) and internal factors (an emotional reaction to some event, an extraneous thought, etc.). If you have this fault, you could try to get rid of it by training your concentration. Select an object and keep your attention pinned to it as long as you can (or as long as it makes sense). During your Blindfold sessions it is expedient to resort to playing games more than 30 moves long under minimum, if any, time limitation.

Hints

Another auxiliary parameter is the ratio between the number of requests for hints and the total number of errors (remember that the program regards a hint as an error). If the proportion of hints in the errors total is rather high (40 - 50% for example), this most likely means good self-control on the part of the user. If, however, you rarely ask for hints and when you do you usually manage to restore the whole position on your own, then you must be an impulsive person. In that case we recommend that in playing with Prof. Clever you lay particular emphasis on accuracy, even if that should come at the expense of lower speed.

Oversteppings

This auxiliary parameter is closely linked to speed. Cases of time limit overstepping are characteristic of low-speed players, and may be regarded as an indication that their typical faults and playing peculiarities (mentioned in the above interpretation of low speed) are rather deep-rooted.