What does a chessmaster think when he prepartes his next move? How are his thoughts organized? Which methods and strategies does he use by solving his problem of choice? To answer these questions, the author did an experimental study in 1938, to which famous chessmasters participated (Alekhine, Max Euwe and Flohr). This book is still usefull for everybody who studies cognition and artificial intelligence.

Adriaan D. de Groot (1914-2006) was professor of methodology of the psychological research at the University of Amsterdam.

Preface - 8 Preface to the second edition - 12 List of tables - 14 Contents - 16 Ch. I: Statement of the problem - 20 Ch. II: Psychological theories of thinking - 52 Ch. III: Method and experimental design - 96 Ch. IV: The external structure of the thought process - 118 Ch. V: Main and Subproblems - 150 Ch. VI: The development of the problem - 201 Ch. VII: The organization and methodology of the thought process - 273 Ch. VIII: Chess talent - 335 Ch. IX: Epilogue 1963 - 390 Appendix 1 - 426 Appendix 2 - 428 Bibliography - 460 Index of Subjects - 466 Index of Names - 479