EP 444 – Dr. Benjamin Balas on Chess Streaks, Blunders, and Brain Science

Dr. Benjamin (Ben) Balas is an MIT-educated professor of psychology at North Dakota State University, where his research focuses on visual recognition. He’s also a passionate chess player who blogs frequently about the intersection of science and chess. On his popular LiChess blog, Ben (aka NDPatzer) has explored topics like whether streakiness exists in chess, the science of blunders, and how confirmation bias influences decision-making over the board. In our conversation, we touch on all of these topics and also delve into Ben’s personal chess journey. He shares the scientific studies he believes every chess player should know about — and, as with his writing, I learned alot from chatting with Ben.

Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

And you can check out their new offerings here:

https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/partners

0:02- What got Ben back into chess during the pandemic after decades away?

Mentioned: Ben’s interview with Dr. Can Kabadayi on the Chess Cognition podcast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrzblptGNjw

0:07- What experience got Ben thinking about whether momentum exists in chess?

Mentioned:

https://lichess.org/@/NDpatzer/blog/science-of-chess-winning-streaks-losing-streaks-and-skill/K4NmnE6b

Also mentioned, FM Nate Solon’s post:

https://zwischenzug.substack.com/p/yes-theres-luck-in-chess

The Hot Hand by Benjamin Cohen:

https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Hand-Mystery-Science-Streaks/dp/0062820729

17:00- What is Dr. Balas' approach to chess improvement?

Mentioned:

100 Endgames You Must Know, The Woodpecker Method, Dr. Katie Wissman

19:00- What does Dr. Balas think of the Woodpecker Method as a study program?

21:00- 3 Scientific Studies Chess Players Should Know About, starting with “Chunking”

Mentioned: IM Fernand Gobet

24:00- Study #2- Stronger players are much better at avoiding confirmation bias

29:00- Dr. Balas has played two OTB tournaments since regaining an interest in chess a few years ago. How were these experiences?

31:00- Study #3- The importance of moving your eyes during a chess game!

Mentioned: Preventing Blunders in Chess by Dr. Can Kabadayi

https://www.chessable.com/preventing-blunders-in-chess/course/258968/

35:00- Why are chess professionals scientifically studied so much more often than amateurs?

39:00- What is next for Ben’s chess?

42:00- If Dr. Balas received funding to do a scientific study on chess, what would he research?

44:00- Dr. Balas’ closing chess improvement advice.

Mentioned:

Blindfold Chess

https://www.amazon.com/Blindfold-Chess-Psychology-Techniques-Champions/dp/0786475269/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1FSJ92B6Q46H0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Rrt6OpihMGjYaHTqvOcHzb6-vZpowdj6xWtFMGFyA6gRhFRzSVmJdBCFgP7UkFD4FUNk4TmKhse2uqjgQ7ZXcuEf5znf67nC8ENj73IDNspElRzfCfxGNYTtHoUUnJTzb_2oecXU8NIk7B4ZJj1mIw.uelpnrMJtCfCmpe6iIa0qWyDhlE32PRwGmXsv5_MeBw&dib_tag=se&keywords=blindfold+chess&qid=1753302264&s=books&sprefix=blindfold+ches%2Cstripbooks%2C112&sr=1-4

Book Recap Podcast discussing Blindfold Chess: History, Psychology, Techniques, Champions, World Records, and Important Games

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2020/8/29/book-recap-talking-blindfold-chess-with-guest-co-host-jerry-wells

47:00- Thanks to Ben for joining, here is how to keep up with his work:

Lichess:

https://lichess.org/@/NDpatzer/blog

Substack:

https://benbalas.substack.com/

And don’t forget to sub the Perpetual Chess Linkfest:

https://benjohnson.substack.com/

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

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