Big Idea: What Makes Chess Grandmasters So Grand?
Posted on Oct 4th, 2007
by 
Brian
Brian
What Makes Chess Grandmasters So Grand?
Michael Gelb talks about the research done on chess grandmasters, chess masters, and chess experts in his tape Creative Genius. It’s fascinating.
First, a little background: a chess master is so good that he can beat a room full of 25 chess experts—at one time!! A chess grandmaster is so good that he can beat a room full of 25 chess masters at one time!
The researchers wanted to know what made chess grandmasters grand masters. Was it superior IQ? Better memory? Better logic?
What they discovered was that the chess masters and grandmasters were, in fact, significantly more intelligent with significantly better memories, etc. than the chess experts. However, there was no significant difference between the grandmaster and the chess masters. They were, in essence, equally brilliant.
What then, distinguished the grandmasters and allowed them to so handily beat the masters if they had essentially the same intellectual capacity?
Passion.
The grandmasters were more passionate about chess. They loved it so much that they were always thinking about it--they lived, breathed, and ate chess!...leading to a level of excellence that was far superior to any other players in the world.
What are you most passionate about?
Of what will you become a grandmaster?
My guess: The two are probably the same thing...
"Pas-sion (noun). Boundless enthusiasm"
~ American Heritage Dictionary
~ American Heritage Dictionary
Michael Gelb talks about the research done on chess grandmasters, chess masters, and chess experts in his tape Creative Genius. It’s fascinating.
First, a little background: a chess master is so good that he can beat a room full of 25 chess experts—at one time!! A chess grandmaster is so good that he can beat a room full of 25 chess masters at one time!
The researchers wanted to know what made chess grandmasters grand masters. Was it superior IQ? Better memory? Better logic?
What they discovered was that the chess masters and grandmasters were, in fact, significantly more intelligent with significantly better memories, etc. than the chess experts. However, there was no significant difference between the grandmaster and the chess masters. They were, in essence, equally brilliant.
What then, distinguished the grandmasters and allowed them to so handily beat the masters if they had essentially the same intellectual capacity?
Passion.
The grandmasters were more passionate about chess. They loved it so much that they were always thinking about it--they lived, breathed, and ate chess!...leading to a level of excellence that was far superior to any other players in the world.
What are you most passionate about?
Of what will you become a grandmaster?
My guess: The two are probably the same thing...
Access: Public
big ideas
August 2008 
Yo Grandmaster B!
Great post! This reminded me of an article from Scientific American a few years back called The Expert Mind, which discusses the same study on chessmasters.
Some excerpts from it:
“The one thing that all expertise theorists agree on is that it takes enormous effort to build these structures in the mind. Simon coined a psychological law of his own, the 10-year rule, which states that it takes approximately a decade of heavy labor to master any field.”
“Ericsson argues that what matters is not experience per se but “effortful study,” which entails continually tackling challenges that lie just beyond one's competence. That is why it is possible for enthusiasts to spend tens of thousands of hours playing chess or golf or a musical instrument without ever advancing beyond the amateur level and why a properly trained student can overtake them in a relatively short time. It is interesting to note that time spent playing chess, even in tournaments, appears to contribute less than such study to a player's progress; the main training value of such games is to point up weaknesses for future study”
“Thus, motivation appears to be a more important factor than innate ability in the development of expertise…But having reached an acceptable performance–for instance, keeping up with one's golf buddies or passing a driver's exam–most people relax…Furthermore, success builds on success, because each accomplishment can strengthen a child's motivation…The preponderance of psychological evidence indicates that experts are made, not born”
Here's to the “effortful study”of compassion, fearlenessnes, mindfulness, love and joy :)
Awesome quotes Ryan. Thanks for adding that! I'm loving this especially:
“That is why it is possible for enthusiasts to spend tens of thousands of hours playing chess or golf or a musical instrument without ever advancing beyond the amateur level and why a properly trained student can overtake them in a relatively short time. It is interesting to note that time spent playing chess, even in tournaments, appears to contribute less than such study to a player's progress; the main training value of such games is to point up weaknesses for future study.”
Passion. Motivation baby!
wow.
that's amazing.
GREAT quotes, indeed, Ryan!!