February 02, 2024

Book Recap #35- Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning- What should chess players know about how to learn and retain information? (with Dr. Nick Vasquez)

1 hour 2 minutes

Our book review series, Chess Books Recaptured, is back to discuss a “non-chess” book for the first time. However, the information in this book is vital for any student of the game. Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning is an extremely insightful encapsulation of best practices for learning and retaining information. The book is written by Peter C. Brown, Henry Roediger and Mark McDaniel, and was the culmination of 10+ years of research. Joining me to discuss the book is emergency room physician and dedicated chess amateur Dr. Nick Vasquez. Nick has been blogging about how Make it Stick changed his thinking about learning and chess study, and we thought it was worth expanding the blog posts into a conversation. Key precepts of the book include the importance of mixing study themes, spacing out your study, testing your knowledge frequently, and emphasizing understanding and contextualization of the study material. Timestamps of the topics discussed are below.

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Interviews Mentioned:

Episode 286 Adult Improver Series Interview with Dr. Nick Vasquez

Episode 349 with Dr. Anique de Bruin

Nick’s blog posts about Make it Stick:

Book Review- https://nickvasquezmd.substack.com/p/make-it-stick

Chess Implications: https://nickvasquezmd.substack.com/p/making-it-stick

0:02- How did Make it Stick change Nick’s thinking about learning and studying chess?

0:09- What are the implications for opening learning of Make it Stick

Mentioned: Make it Stick website

21:00- What is the difference between varied practice and interleaving?

24:30- How did the book alter Nick’s training plan?

Mentioned: The Chess Steps, Practical Chess Exercises, GM Wojciech Moranda’s Books, GM Winning Chess Exercises for Kids, Anki

29:00- When trying to ingrain something into one’s memory are you better off studying things over decreasing time intervals or increasing time intervals?

33:00- More chess study conclusions

Mentioned: FM Nate Solon’s How to Learn an Opening in 2023

40:00- Is is true that “there is no such as a learning style?”

45:00- Final thoughts and favorite quotes and studies cited.

50:00- What is a “memory palace?

Mentioned; Moonwalking with Einstein

57:00- Thanks to Dr. Vasquez for rejoining me! Be sure to sub to his blog here:

https://nickvasquezmd.substack.com/

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By Ben Johnson

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