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Perpetual Chess Podcast

EP.187 - USCF Master and Cognitive Scientist Christopher Chabris returns!

Perpetual Chess Podcast

Perpetual Chess LLC

Sports, Leisure, Hobbies

4.8678 Ratings

🗓️ 28 July 2020

⏱️ 91 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Christopher Chabris is a renowned cognitive scientist, and co-author (with Daniel Simons) of the best selling book, The Invisible Gorilla.  Long-time Perpetual Chess listeners will know that he is also a USCF Master, an adult-improver, and a chess dad, thus making him a great recurring guest.  Since we have been discussing the science of learning a lot in recent conversations, I thought it would be a great time to check back in with someone with specific domain knowledge. Christopher walks us through the latest in scientific research, as it pertains to learning. This includes explanations of spaced repetition and how aging effects chess skill. Christopher also shares some thoughts about ways that chess learning could be properly studied scientifically.   Of course, there was a lot more to discuss than just the science of learning, so Christopher and I also talked about the latest, greatest chess books, what he learned from an online camp with GM Jacob Aagaard. He also told a few more  fun stories from his many chess adventures. As always, keep reading for more information and timestamps.    0:00- Since Christopher is a frequent Perpetual Chess Listener, we begin by hearing his perspective on the recent chess improvement tips that have been shared on the show, especially as they relate to the science of learning.  Mentioned: Listen to Christopher’s prior Perpetual Chess interview here: https://podcasts.apple.com/jm/podcast/ep-95-uscf-master-cognitive-scientist-christopher-chabris/id1185023674?i=1000421410393 Also Mentioned: IM Erik Kislik    8:45- What do we really know for sure when it comes to chess learning?  Mentioned: Spaced repetition. Some of the information cited comes from a study by  Yana Weinstein, Christopher R. Madan, & Megan A. Sumeracki- Teaching the Science of Learning Christopher recommends this book for a general overview of the science of learning: https://www.amazon.com/Make-Stick-Science-Successful-Learning/dp/0674729013 GM Jacob Aagard, Perpetual Chess: Woodpecker Method book recap with Neal Bruce, Perpetual Chess Interview with NM Elijah Logozar, interleaving    20:30- Christopher tackles a couple of good Patreon mailbag questions relating to how one could conduct a study to test best practices in chess learning and how to correct any misconceptions that are cited about brain science in the chess world.   Mentioned: GM Jan Gustafsson, Malcolm Gladwell    33:00- What do scientists know about aging as it relates to brain function?    37:45- As always, Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com. One of the many free courses that I like is GM Alex Colovic’s Short and Sweet: Queen’s Gambit Declined.    38:00- Christopher gives a “trip report” on an online chess camp he did with renowned trainer, GM Jacob Aagaard. Also mentioned: GM Leonid Shamkovich, NM Bruce Pandolfini, IM Erik Kislik    49:00- Christopher’s son is playing chess fairly actively, and gives an update on his progress.  Then he discusses the aspect of chess he is finding most challenging in his competitions these days, and how he is spending his study time. Mentioned: IM Jim Rizzitano, Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy   57:00- Christopher is an avid chess reader, so he gives a detailed update on some chess books he has recently enjoyed. Mentioned: Gambit App Books here: http://www.gambitbooks.com/webapp/appbooks.html, The Anand Files, The Road to Chess Improvement, Game Changer Improve Your Chess Now, Secrets of Practical Chess, GM Jonathan Rowson We also mentioned, but haven't yet read the following:  Think Like a Machine, GM Tukmakov ‘s Modern Chess Formula, The Powerful Impact of Engines   1:02:00- Christopher discusses some of the online leagues in which he has played and gives preparation tips as well as a general comparison of playing online compared to OTB. Mentioned: Lichess4545.com   1:16:30- Christopher was ready this time for the question of brushes with famous chess players! Mentioned: IM Dan Edelman, GM Anatoly Karpov, Deep Thought, GM Walter Browne, GM Patrick Wolff, GM Viswanathan Anand, Murray Campbell, GM Magnus Carlsen, GM Fabiano Caruana, Dan Smith, Twitter Chess Tournament    1:25:00- Thanks as always to Christopher for stopping by and sharing his knowledge and stories. Here is his info: Website-http://chabris.com/ Twitter- https://twitter.com/cfchabris   If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess you can do so here: https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/donate   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Hello everyone. I am Ben Johnson and this is the perpetual chess podcast. Perpetual chess is a weekly

0:09.8

chess interview show where we talk with accomplished chess players, authors, and personalities

0:14.0

about their lives, their careers and how to improve at chess. Perpetual chess is brought to you

0:19.1

through the generosity of its Patreon and PayPal

0:21.5

supporters and by chescible.com.

0:27.7

Hey everyone and welcome back to Perpetual Chess. We have another popular return guest joining us this

0:33.6

week. He was on the show in October of 2018, episode 95, and of course he also was recently

0:40.4

on the show, helping me recap, think like a grandmaster. And now he's back for another interview.

0:45.5

He is a highly respected cognitive scientist with a PhD from Harvard, the co-author of the New York

0:51.2

Times bestseller Invisible Gorilla, which is based on a landmark study conducted with fellow chess player Daniel Simons.

0:57.7

He's also a USCF master.

0:59.2

He published the award-winning American chess journal and a few chess books back in the 90s.

1:04.7

And he's also working hard on his chess game.

1:07.4

He's a chess dad.

1:08.7

And with his permission, I would like him to become the official brain

1:12.2

correspondent of perpetual chess. Chris, how do you feel about that? If that means correspondent

1:18.1

about the brain as opposed to correspondent with a good brain, then I will accept. Yes, you are

1:22.9

going to be our brain consultant because I'm constantly out of my depth talking about best learning practices.

1:29.8

Of course, we all try our best and we gather as many anecdotes as we can.

1:33.4

But one topic that's come up a lot on this show, as you well know, is the lack of actual data about how to improve in chess.

1:41.6

So one of the many reasons I was eager to talk to you again,

1:44.8

to interview you again, is we have so many guests

...

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