How much theory can you remember at a maximum

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confusion101

IMKeto

For me chess was always about having fun and learning new things.  And once the game became more work than fun that would be when i would quit....which i did.

kraunak60
llama47 wrote:

A lot of people seem to be answering in terms of a single line... the maximum you can remember is 20 moves? That's so few moves. I could memorize a whole game without much effort, that'd be something like 30-60 moves right?

The more interesting answer would be something like "I know 100 lines each about 10 moves deep."

When I made an actual repertoire for tournament play, I had to drill my openings otherwise I'd forget bits and pieces of them (you see too much junk in blitz/bullet for it to be opening practice).

The question is about how much theory, not theories.

Remembering games is a different.

kraunak60
B1ZMARK wrote:

Ry is secretly gathering intel on u

That is why I didn't explain much. wink.png

blueemu

In my "Kids, don't try this at home!" game, my novelty came on move 28. Everything up to there was known theory.

 

Stil1

12 moves or so, in most lines.

I don't feel that it's necessary to memorize much beyond that, as the lines I prefer are mostly practical/simple in nature, and don't really involve any unusual tactics or maneuvers.

I think memorization is more important when you play sharp sidelines, with unusual piece placements - lines where "normal-looking" moves aren't always correct.

ChessBooster

any average player may memorize 15-20 moves of some line, and like that lots of lines

but what is use of this?

remembering one 30 moves line is like one small branch in whole tree, what is possibility that opponent will run into it.....

Ok_withthat

yeahh you just have to know where to strike or defend 

EuphoniousJones

And when

llama47
kraunak60 wrote:
llama47 wrote:

A lot of people seem to be answering in terms of a single line... the maximum you can remember is 20 moves? That's so few moves. I could memorize a whole game without much effort, that'd be something like 30-60 moves right?

The more interesting answer would be something like "I know 100 lines each about 10 moves deep."

When I made an actual repertoire for tournament play, I had to drill my openings otherwise I'd forget bits and pieces of them (you see too much junk in blitz/bullet for it to be opening practice).

The question is about how much theory, not theories.

Remembering games is a different.

The question is also "how much can you remember" not "how much do you remember."

Ry is working pretty hard on his chess, so that seems like a useful distinction.

Anyway, knowing a single line X moves deep is pretty meaningless. Even someone who doesn't know the rules of chess could learn 15 moves of theory in a single line. A more interesting  (and practical) question for a hard working tournament player is how much theory do you know in total? Do you know 100 lines 10 moves deep? 1000 lines 12 moves deep? That sort of thing.

And it's practical because that determines your upkeep cost. No one will remember all these things forever. You have to do periodic review.

sndeww

Ah, so that’s why I keep losing with the birds opening now.

rychessmaster1
blueemu wrote:

In my "Kids, don't try this at home!" game, my novelty came on move 28. Everything up to there was known theory.

 

flex much cry.png

rychessmaster1

just experimenting tongue.png

IMKeto
rychessmaster1 wrote:
blueemu wrote:

In my "Kids, don't try this at home!" game, my novelty came on move 28. Everything up to there was known theory.

 

flex much

The emu doesn't need to flex.  He is a long time member that posts quality chess related stuff.

rychessmaster1

yeah I know lol

llama47
rychessmaster1 wrote:

just experimenting

Still want to know your answer to the question.

ChampoftheBepoCamp

I got like 25 moves of Fried Liver down... happy.png At least 1 line or something (no variations forgot em)

blueemu
rychessmaster1 wrote:
blueemu wrote:

In my "Kids, don't try this at home!" game, my novelty came on move 28. Everything up to there was known theory.

 

flex much

No, just often.

rychessmaster1
llama47 wrote:
B1ZMARK wrote:

Lol yeah llama, same here. Just slowly forget the games because it’s been so long since you had to recall it. Interesting take on the title

I wonder what Ry's answer to the title is, hmm.jpg

the most i've ever remembered off the top of my head unexpected is around 15

But I could remember 20 or more if my opponent plays into pre game prep

rychessmaster1

I don't play many theoretical lines like sicilian or semi slav so not many chances to remember that much