user3872: It is common for strong chess players to have chess games in memory. Is this because it helps to memorize chess games?

user4104: I am not sure if memorizing games helps as much as studying games. If you want to learn how masters execute long-term plans or how tactics support strategies or how strategies yield tactical opportunities - then you want to study games (or sequences of moves). 
Having memorized games (and positions) can help very much when it comes to teaching chess. When I demonstrate the Opera Game to my son I want the experience to be seamless - not interrupted by me looking up the next move.

user3270: I would switch the cause and effect. Strong players have many games memorized because chess memory improves with strength, not because the memorization made them strong. I am not saying that memorizing games is useless but I think that there are more efficient ways to improve.

3872: <p>It is common for strong chess players to have chess games in memory. Is this because it helps to memorize chess games?</p>
 4104: <p>I am not sure if memorizing games helps as much as studying games. If you want to learn how masters execute long-term plans or how tactics support strategies or how strategies yield tactical opportunities - then you want to study games (or sequences of moves). 
Having memorized games (and positions) can help very much when it comes to teaching chess. When I demonstrate the Opera Game to my son I want the experience to be seamless - not interrupted by me looking up the next move.</p>
 3270: <p>I would switch the cause and effect. Strong players have many games memorized because chess memory improves with strength, not because the memorization made them strong. I am not saying that memorizing games is useless but I think that there are more efficient ways to improve.</p>
