Chess Skill: Elements, Measurement, Records, Trends, Learning Curves, Scientific Research, and Computer Enhancement

This book examines the nature of chess skill, at the various ways to measure it, and looks at much recent scientific research on this skill. The book also gives a picture of the current state of and development of international chess over many decades, with much illustrative data. The book also tackles various important questions about chess skill. The core of the book is based on data from the inaugural international chess federation FIDE Elo rating list up to the present. The book presents much data on ratings records, trends, and has many component studies looking at such issues as the role of natural talent, ages of peak rating, learning curves for chess skill, effects of computerization, and many other topics. The book also uses data from an online survey of career data and other data of FIDE-rated players. One intended readership is chess players who know the chess rules and are familiar with Elo ratings, but the book can be read by anyone interested in the game. The Appendix sets out the game’s rules and describes chess notation. Chapter Two describes the Elo rating system in detail and various other ways to measure chess skill. Another audience is researchers in psychology, artificial intelligence, economics, and other disciplines which increasingly use chess data and who wish to understand the domain much better.