Theory Of Mind: Chess as an Intellectual Art

In this English rendition, we embark on a captivating journey through the minds of chess players, synthesizing the essence of our three-part exploration originally written in Japanese. As we navigate the strategic landscape of the sixty-four squares, we unravel the layers of cognitive prowess, emotional intelligence, and strategic foresight that define the chess player's mental landscape.

This article not only serves as a comprehensive recapitulation of my Japanese series but also extends an invitation to explore the original trilogy and encourage all of you that the language barrier is not an impediment to glimpse once again the universal language of chess, because its beauty has no cultural or any other kind of frontiers!

Here are the links to the original Theory of Mind and Chess trilogy. 

• Theory of Mind, Part 1: Cognitive Processes and Chess
• Theory of Mind, Part 2: Chess Players and Drug Dealers
• Theory of Mind, Part 3: The Mind of the Chess Player

In the intricate dance of chess, the Theory of Mind (ToM) emerges as a subtle yet potent force, shaping the dynamics between players. Defined as the capacity to understand and predict behavior by delving into one's own and others' states of mind, ToM becomes a strategic advantage within the confines of the chessboard.

In the realm of chess, where every move is a calculated step in a mental duel, considering the state of mind of one's opponent becomes a pivotal element. This cognitive skill extends beyond the mere calculation of moves; it involves deciphering the intricate web of beliefs, desires, intentions, and thoughts that drive each player's decisions.

Illustrative image exemplifying a decision tree in chess given a specific position on the board with respect to the piece to be moved. Source of image: The Psychology Of Chess by Kevin Binz.

Effectively harnessing ToM grants individuals the ability to reflect upon and discuss not only their own mental states but also those of their adversaries. It transforms the chess game into a nuanced exploration of the minds at play, adding layers of complexity to the strategic interplay. For a player to steadily accumulate victories on the board, he or she must have an exceptional memory, an exquisite ability to generate mental images to visualize all the possibilities within a position, and a formidable concentration. 

The preparation of professional chess players unfolds as a diverse mosaic, revealing unique strategies and approaches that go beyond the chessboard. An extraordinary example of this dedication is the preparation of Bobby Fischer, who not only honed his tactical skills, but approached the physical demands of the World Chess Championship in an innovative way, developing his lung power by staying underwater.

Bobby Fischer, May 1972. ph. Harry Benson, source: Pinterest

The use of chess in psychology dates back to de Groot's The Thinking of a Chess Player (1946). A pioneer in chess research, de Groot's most successful work, Thoughts and Choice in Chess, has collected over 3955 citations and is widely cited (Charness, 1992). de Groot's studies included participants from all chess backgrounds, from amateur to master. These studies investigated the cognitive requirements and thought processes necessary to move chess pieces by having participants correctly solve chess puzzles under the supervision of an experimenter, asking them to describe the process aloud, and recording their descriptions. The researchers then found correlations between chess and a number of cognitive processes. These include academic success, metamemory, metacognition, spatial concepts, and problem solving.

Frederic Friedel and Adriaan de Groot, Cologne, 1986.

The world's great tacticians are people who can think ahead. Chess grandmasters, famous military generals, great world leaders, and mafia dons all share one skill: they all think many steps ahead of their competitors.

At the zenith of his influence, Rodriguez Orejuela held sway over a substantial portion of the global cocaine trade, positioning himself as the arch-nemesis of none other than Pablo Escobar. Termed the "chess player" for his adept ability to outmaneuver both adversaries and the law, this 83-year-old mastermind navigated the illicit world with strategic finesse.

Under the guise of the "honest pharmacy magnate," a nod to his family's chain of pharmacies, Rodriguez Orejuela cultivated a deceptive image.  The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) asserts that, by the mid-1990s, Rodriguez Orejuela bore responsibility for a staggering 80% of the world's total cocaine trade.

In 1995, Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela was arrested in a luxury apartment in Cali, Colombia. Source: GETTY IMAGES

This narrative unveils the paradoxical persona of a man whose outward facade masked the dark machinations of a global cocaine empire. From the gilded confines of luxury to the harsh realities of ruthless cartel wars, the chess player's intricate dance with power and deception left an indelible mark on the annals of criminal history.

A brief glimpse into the mind of the chess player

As noted in previous articles in the original Japanese saga, chess provides a psychological microworld in which to investigate very basic issues, including theoretical concepts that can be used to investigate human thought. One psychologically interesting memory-based game format is simultaneous blind-fold chess. In this game, players play multiple games simultaneously.

Magnus Carlsen's blind fold simultaneous game event in Vienna.

In blindfold chess, players do not visually perceive the pieces or the board; instead, they rely on verbal communication to understand their opponent's moves. Typically, the chess player positions their chair 180 degrees from the board, with their back facing it. They receive information about their opponent's moves by being informed about the starting square of the piece and the intended destination.

Research on blind chess primarily explores the role of mental imagery in problem-solving. From early studies by Binet (1893/1966), Cleveland (1907), and Reuben Fine (1965) to contemporary research, a plethora of observations and insights have been accumulated. These studies highlight blind chess as a remarkably effective tool in addressing blindness.

Findings from these studies indicate that individuals actively engage mental imagery during blind chess, significantly contributing to problem-solving abilities. Variances in skill have been observed, with novices able to follow only a few moves in multiple simultaneous games, while experts demonstrate a remarkable ability to progress accurately over 35 moves.

These insights underscore the crucial role of mental imagery in chess, emphasizing its significance in a player's information processing and problem-solving capabilities.

Blindfolded, Norwegian chess player Magnus Carlsen beat 10 Harvard-educated lawyers at chess.

A robust memory plays a pivotal role in chess, granting players the capacity to identify positions and, based on this recognition, formulate strategies more clearly by drawing upon past experiences. Thorough exploration of opening theory and contemplation of notable games, as well as one's own past matches, furnish players with a valuable reservoir of knowledge. The fusion of memory and diligent research empowers them to anticipate moves on the board, anticipate potential developments, and make informed decisions during the game.

The instantaneous recognition of patterns and specific board configurations, facilitated by a sharp memory and prior knowledge, provides players with a strategic edge. This recognition not only expedites the decision-making process but also contributes efficiently to the execution of tactics and strategies. In this context, memory acts as a repository of past experiences, guiding the player towards optimal choices in similar situations.

What a beautiful staircase！

In addition, and equally vital, the ability to mentally abstract and create mental images significantly contributes to the conceptual understanding of chess. A player endowed with well-developed cognitive skills can discern complex patterns, grasp the interrelationships between different pieces, and foresee strategic structures as the game unfolds. This level of comprehension transcends mere memorization and manifests as the ability to generate original ideas and creative solutions on the board.

Let's delve into a pivotal moment in Bobby Fischer's legendary historical chess game — widely hailed as the greatest game of the 20th century. The year is 1956, the setting is New York, and a 13-year-old Bobby Fischer, playing with the black pieces, faces off against Donald Byrne, brother of chess player Robert Byrne. It is Fischer's turn to make a move.

In this position, Bobby Fischer played Be6. And even though the queen could be taken by the bishop on c5, this does not seem to matter to Bobby Fischer.

This move isn't arbitrary; Be6 marks the initiation of a carefully planned strategy that unfolds progressively from this point until the game's conclusion. I've chosen this example to underscore that an adept player comprehends the intricate relationships between different pieces, crafting a strategy that becomes apparent only in hindsight. This can pose a challenging situation for an opponent, particularly when the strategy is unpredictable or challenging to fathom.

Fundamentally, the black bishop on e6 is immune to capture by the white pieces, because if so it gives rise to a beautiful variation leading to "Smothered Mate" or "Mate de la coz, in Spanish". Donald Byrne's decision not to capture the bishop on e6 took the game on a different trajectory, which ultimately led to Bobby Fischer's victory, but what if the white pieces had taken the bishop?

In the hypothetical scenario where the bishop is captured, the variant unfolds as follows:

At this point, Bobby Fischer is at a material disadvantage of having one less piece than his opponent. And even though the white piece's bishop on e6 could be taken, the black queen now has a vast diagonal attack range against the white king. And this is where the beautiful variant I'm talking about begins.

The variant continues with a check by the move Qb5. The white king cannot move to e1, because it is followed by the move Qe2, which, together with the knight on c3, is checkmate, and the black pieces wins.

The white king must go to g1, and a beautiful sequence leading to "Smothered mate" in this position begins with the Ne2 move that again triggers a check.

1. Kg1, Ne2+

2. Kf1, Ng3+

3. Kg1, Qf1+

There is a beautiful sacrifice by the black queen on f1, which checks the white king and forces the queen's capture by the rook on d1. This is because the queen is protected by the knight on g3 and cannot be taken by the king itself. Finally, the knight returns to e2, resulting in a beautiful checkmate. This type of checkmate is called "smothered mate". This type of checkmate is called "smothered mate" because the king is "smothered" by his own pieces and has no way to move.

Here we see the white king eventually surrounded and smothered by its own pieces.

Given everything I have described in this, I can assure you that at that moment in the game when Bobby Fischer made the Be6 move, Donald Byrne was able to mentally "observe" what would happen if he took that bishop and conclude that it was not a good option. In other words, he foreseen this possible threat and thus the original 1956 game continued in a different way.

Another example of Smothered mate
What a strategy！

The ability of an experienced chess player to mentally "observe" thousands of variants, predict possible threats from them, and construct a strategy to ensure victory is astounding.

This is a chess score sheet from the chess game played by 13-year-old Bobby Fischer against Donald Byrne in 1956.

Within the intricate tapestry of chess, the player's mind emerges as the epicenter where creativity and strategic vision coalesce, giving rise to the formation of complex mental images that underpin decision-making.

Far beyond the realm of mere calculation, the theory of mind in chess encompasses a profound understanding of the intentions and motives of adversaries. It extends to the prescient ability to anticipate their reactions to one's moves, creating a mental landscape akin to a laboratory of creativity. In this cerebral arena, the chess player not only navigates the board but becomes a maestro of strategic imagination, visualizing multiple anomalies, evaluating positions, and dynamically constructing strategies in real time.

This elaboration of the mind transcends chess from a mere game to the echelons of intellectual art. Here, every move on the board is not just a tactical maneuver but a brushstroke on the canvas of a grand intellectual masterpiece. The player's mind, akin to a sculptor molding intricate forms from raw material, sculpts strategic narratives that unfold in the delicate dance of pieces.

In this elevated realm, chess becomes a manifestation of the human intellect's highest order, a fusion of calculation and intuition, where the player doesn't merely play the game but orchestrates a symphony of ideas. The chessboard transforms into a stage, and each piece takes on a role in a narrative where the mind's creativity and strategic acumen shine as stars.

"Life in 64 squares". Bobby Fischer. Image colorized by IA

As the chess player immerses themselves in this intellectual odyssey, they transcend the boundaries of competition, delving into the realms of artistry and insight. In the mind of the chess player, the game becomes a canvas, and every move, a stroke of brilliance, rendering chess not just a pastime but an everlasting testament to the boundless capacities of the human mind.

As we conclude this linguistic journey, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for joining me in exploring the intricacies of chess and the theory of mind in the English language. If you need any additional information or have any comments you would like to make, please feel free to contact me!

Chess is gymnastics for the mind. Blaise Pascal

Von: 桂木 仁美 👑