The psychology of chess
The Royal Institution of Great Britain , 21 Albemarle Street , London, W1S 4BS
The psychology of chess
21 Albemarle Street , London, W1S 4BS
Description
Do you need to be a genius to be good at chess – or is dedicated practice enough? What does it really take to become a Grandmaster? Can computers now display intuition?
Fernand Gobet will answer these questions through insights from psychology, cognitive science and artificial intelligence.
Along the way, Fernand will challenge some popular beliefs about talent and expertise, including why the famous “10,000-hour rule” does not fully explain success at the highest levels of play.
The talk will also tackle topics which push the boundaries of our understanding of psychology, such as why chess has long been associated not only with exceptional intelligence, but also with obsession, intense focus, and even madness.
By the end, you will see how this ancient board game offers surprising lessons about learning, creativity, and the limits of human intelligence.
How To Get Your Tickets
1. Book your desired number of tickets and await an email from us confirming your order. This is NOT a ticket.
2. Present your confirmation on arrival at the venue. Ensure that you take personal ID with you or you may be turned away
Pricing Information
• No further payment applies beyond the TFG booking fee
Additional Information
• We also have an offer for Free Tickets with £5 Donation for this event, please search the event on our site if you would like to donate to the Royal Institution. Both tickets allow the same entry to the event
• This event is suitable for ages 13+
• For further event information please visit here
Accessibility Information
• Please note: We recommend all access bookings are made directly through the event organiser, however, we are here to assist where possible. Please get in touch with us prior to booking if you have access requirements. For accessibility information please visit here
Key Terms of Sale
• Tickets are non-refundable / non-exchangeable
• Tickets cannot be resold or transferred
• The account holder must be in attendance at the event
These are the key terms. Full terms apply and are available here
Genre
Dates & times
Monday, 13 Apr 2026 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Important information - please read
Do you need to be a genius to be good at chess – or is dedicated practice enough? What does it really take to become a Grandmaster? Can computers now display intuition?
Fernand Gobet will answer these questions through insights from psychology, cognitive science and artificial intelligence.
Along the way, Fernand will challenge some popular beliefs about talent and expertise, including why the famous “10,000-hour rule” does not fully explain success at the highest levels of play.
The talk will also tackle topics which push the boundaries of our understanding of psychology, such as why chess has long been associated not only with exceptional intelligence, but also with obsession, intense focus, and even madness.
By the end, you will see how this ancient board game offers surprising lessons about learning, creativity, and the limits of human intelligence.
How To Get Your Tickets
1. Book your desired number of tickets and await an email from us confirming your order. This is NOT a ticket.
2. Present your confirmation on arrival at the venue. Ensure that you take personal ID with you or you may be turned away
Pricing Information
• No further payment applies beyond the TFG booking fee
Additional Information
• We also have an offer for Free Tickets with £5 Donation for this event, please search the event on our site if you would like to donate to the Royal Institution. Both tickets allow the same entry to the event
• This event is suitable for ages 13+
• For further event information please visit here
Accessibility Information
• Please note: We recommend all access bookings are made directly through the event organiser, however, we are here to assist where possible. Please get in touch with us prior to booking if you have access requirements. For accessibility information please visit here
Key Terms of Sale
• Tickets are non-refundable / non-exchangeable
• Tickets cannot be resold or transferred
• The account holder must be in attendance at the event
These are the key terms. Full terms apply and are available here
Genre
Tickets
You may purchase a maximum of 4 tickets for this event.Location
The Royal Institution of Great Britain
21 Albemarle Street
London
W1S 4BS