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Spaced repetition opening moves - a good idea, or a really bad one?

@Noobmasterplayer123 said in #20:

I think computers can teach you but the thing is user needs to be aware that whatever computer is saying is aprox and not the source truth, in my chess GUI I'm using LLMs to have a hand holding than absolute authority. I think for opening learning something like this might be useful, memorizing lines isn't the solution tbh something different that sits between both I guess.

I didn't mean LLMs, which might somewhat work if they were specifically trained with quality data (see stuff like Chess GPT, which still sucks, but it's a step in the right direction), but actual chess AI, like StockFish. It doesn't "know" chess, it's more like Waze finding the best road to take. It has no idea why you want to get there, though, or what you might enjoy on the way. It's just a killjoy.

@Noobmasterplayer123 said in #20: > I think computers can teach you but the thing is user needs to be aware that whatever computer is saying is aprox and not the source truth, in my chess GUI I'm using LLMs to have a hand holding than absolute authority. I think for opening learning something like this might be useful, memorizing lines isn't the solution tbh something different that sits between both I guess. I didn't mean LLMs, which might somewhat work if they were specifically trained with quality data (see stuff like Chess GPT, which still sucks, but it's a step in the right direction), but actual chess AI, like StockFish. It doesn't "know" chess, it's more like Waze finding the best road to take. It has no idea why you want to get there, though, or what you might enjoy on the way. It's just a killjoy.

The best way I've found for learning the Vienna Gambit so far is the video series of the Chess Centurion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS3MSUORjbM&list=PLIrpkj8YgOuATq_1g4jQSgRj-CjGbXQxx

The unique thing about his videos is that he always emphasis his way of thinking by calculating ahead to see what's most pressing and what's there to be gained. He also offers a small repertoire that can deal with most openings (caro-kann, slave defense, Vienna Game, Mengarina Defense against Sicilian). I really like this way of dealing with an otherwise hard to tame subject like the multitudes and variations of openings ...

If his way of calculating was incorporated into self-controlled forms of training like spaced repetitions (or puzzles on that opening: https://lichess.org/training/Vienna_Game) I am sure the training is then way more worthwhile, because it should change the way you approach a game long term, rather than just memorizing short term...

The best way I've found for learning the Vienna Gambit so far is the video series of the Chess Centurion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS3MSUORjbM&list=PLIrpkj8YgOuATq_1g4jQSgRj-CjGbXQxx The unique thing about his videos is that he always emphasis his way of thinking by calculating ahead to see what's most pressing and what's there to be gained. He also offers a small repertoire that can deal with most openings (caro-kann, slave defense, Vienna Game, Mengarina Defense against Sicilian). I really like this way of dealing with an otherwise hard to tame subject like the multitudes and variations of openings ... If his way of calculating was incorporated into self-controlled forms of training like spaced repetitions (or puzzles on that opening: https://lichess.org/training/Vienna_Game) I am sure the training is then way more worthwhile, because it should change the way you approach a game long term, rather than just memorizing short term...

Some memorization is good, whether in math, language, or chess. There's a lot of research on this. Having some key facts memorized frees up your attention to focus on more nuanced problems.

Indeed, why not memorize the most important moves of your repertoire? It's easy!

The problem is that a lot of opening books and courses are far too long, and contain a lot of lines that are irrelevant for most players. As you say, you'll end up memorizing a lot of lines you never see.

My advice would be to memorize some lines, but not too many, and based on what you actually encounter.

Some memorization is good, whether in math, language, or chess. There's a lot of research on this. Having some key facts memorized frees up your attention to focus on more nuanced problems. Indeed, why not memorize the most important moves of your repertoire? It's easy! The problem is that a lot of opening books and courses are far too long, and contain a lot of lines that are irrelevant for most players. As you say, you'll end up memorizing a lot of lines you never see. My advice would be to memorize some lines, but not too many, and based on what you actually encounter.