The Thought and Choice Laboratory
The Thought and Choice Laboratory
Welcome to The Thought and Choice Laboratory, a premier Chess.com team for analytical minds and dedicated learners. We are more than a club; we are a community built on a foundational principle: true improvement in chess comes from mastering how you think, not just what you know.
Our name is inspired by the seminal work of psychologist Adriaan de Groot, whose research into the minds of chess masters revealed a universal blueprint for expert decision-making. Here, we embrace that blueprint.
Our Core Philosophy: The De Groot Method
We believe every move is a product of four critical phases:
-
Orientation: Understanding the position's character.
-
Exploration: Generating candidate moves.
-
Investigation: Deeply analyzing each candidate.
-
Verification: Final checking and commitment.
Our structured tournaments and activities are designed to train you in this methodical approach, transforming your games into laboratories for strategic experimentation.
What We Offer: A Structured Path to Mastery
As a member of our laboratory, you will have access to a ecosystem of growth:
-
Structured Daily Tournaments: Our flagship events feature extended time controls (5 days per move), mandating the use of deep analytical processes. These are training grounds where the quality of your thought is as important as the result.
-
Events for All Levels: We host tournaments and events tailored to every skill level, from dedicated beginners to seasoned experts. Everyone is welcome to learn and apply these principles.
-
Competitive Team Matches: We test our refined skills in competitive team matches against other clubs, applying our methodical approach in a challenging environment.
-
A Collaborative Community: Our forums and chats are active hubs for discussion. Share your analysis, debate strategic concepts, and get feedback on your thought process from fellow members.
-
Full Use of Chess.com Features: We leverage all platform tools—forums, tournaments, matches, and ladder—to create a vibrant, engaging, and supportive home for your chess journey.
Who We Are Looking For:
We seek players who:
-
Are curious about the cognitive science behind mastery.
-
Thrive in correspondence chess for the depth it allows.
-
See every game, win or lose, as a source of data for improvement.
-
Value rigorous honesty and strictly adhere to Fair Play principles. Engine use is prohibited.
Join the Experiment:
If you are ready to move beyond casual play and embark on a disciplined journey of cognitive and strategic development, you have found your intellectual home.
Apply to join "The Thought and Choice Laboratory" today. Let's dissect the game, master our minds, and elevate our play together.
