If it is common for you to be able to play back a game in its entirety right after the game is finished without referring to notes, is it because you make a point of memorizing the game as it goes along? Or is it more of a subconscious thing such that even if you didn’t particularly want to remember every move, you still would?

For me, the answer would be “No, I cannot reconstruct the moves,” for any game that goes more than about eight moves. On the other hand, if ahead of the game I were offered a million dollars if I could play it back by memory, I am pretty sure I could make use of that incentive and succeed if the game did not go on for more than about 50 moves. But it would feel like an encumbrance on me, and I wouldn’t do it without the artificial incentive of a reward.

Originally posted by Paul Dirac II
If it is common for you to be able to play back a game in its entirety right after the game is finished without referring to notes, is it because you make a point of memorizing the game as it goes along? Or is it more of a subconscious thing such that even if you didn’t particularly want to remember every move, you still would?

For me, the answer wo ...[text shortened]... el like an encumbrance on me, and I wouldn’t do it without the artificial incentive of a reward.

If you have a photgraphic memory and you want to get better at chess, then memorize a bunch of GM games!

That's something I've read over and over. I don't have that gift, so I decided it wouldn't do me much good.

Originally posted by Eladar
If you have a photgraphic memory and you want to get better at chess, then memorize a bunch of GM games!

That's something I've read over and over. I don't have that gift, so I decided it wouldn't do me much good.

Originally posted by Paul Dirac II
If it is common for you to be able to play back a game in its entirety right after the game is finished without referring to notes, is it because you make a point of memorizing the game as it goes along? Or is it more of a subconscious thing such that even if you didn’t particularly want to remember every move, you still would?

For me, the answer wo ...[text shortened]... el like an encumbrance on me, and I wouldn’t do it without the artificial incentive of a reward.

If the game on the board was intense, exciting, involving me deeply, I surely can reproduce the moves immediately after the game.

I can do so immediately after the game, with my opponents help. I can remember my move if my opponent helps with his, and I can remember the opening, but that's all. Though it's a short term thing, I can't remember any of my games now. I think what I'm remembering is WHY I made the move, what I was responding too etc rather than the actual move, I just work it out the same again given the same information.

Can you memorize things you don't see/haven't seen? tyia

I used to be able to remember all the moves and most of my thoughts at the time fairly easily but not really needed to for quite a few years and probably couldn't now. Lack of practice, age, and alcohol are probably to blame !

Yes I remember the moves from my last game, they all sucked.😞

I can replay most of my OTB games immediately after the game. It's not so much remembering the moves, but more the plan.

If I can't remember my plans, then I do have to rely on my photogenic mammaries.

Like others, I can with my opponents help after the game. If I try to do so quickly enough, and can remember the plans and themes of the game, I find I can remember most of the moves, or used to be able to. I've thought about this again recently, as I may be playing some over the board chess soon enough again, and would like to remember my games so I can learn from them. A small notebook will definitely be in order, as well as feeding the games into some form of database for easier annotation and analysis.

Originally posted by ketchuplover
Can you memorize things you don't see/haven't seen? tyia