A groundbreaking scientific study, a milestone in the psychological science of genius, and an intruiging piece of study material for chess players and coaches.

What does a chessplayer think when he prepares 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 experimental studies from 1938 to 1946, in which participated both famous chessmasters  (Alekhine, Max Euwe, Flohr, Keres, Tartakower) as well as amateur players of different levels.

Some of the results are startling (GM's don't calculate deeper than strong amateurs) and the protocols of how the various players think aloud about certain positions are a fascinating read.

To understand this book the great American scientist and later Nobel Prize winner Herbert A. Simon decided to learn Dutch; later Simon launched the English translation, which has been out of print for more than two decades. 

Adriaan D. de Groot (1914-2006) was professor of methodology of the psychological research at the University of Amsterdam, and a chessplayer of master strength who represented Holland at three Olympiads.