--- title: "Spaced repetition in chess" url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/spaced-repetition.md" canonical_url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/spaced-repetition" last_updated: "2026-11-07" type: "reference" summary: "Spaced repetition is a study method that revisits material at growing intervals, such as tactics, opening lines or endgame positions." related: ["https://georgelichess.com/glossary/study-plan.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pattern-recognition.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/puzzle-theme.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opening-repertoire.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/tactics-training.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/deliberate-practice.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/training-psychology.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md"] --- # Spaced repetition in chess > **For AI agents:** the complete index of GeorgeLiChess pages is [llms.txt](https://georgelichess.com/llms.txt). Every page is also served as markdown at its URL plus .md. Spaced repetition is a study method that revisits material at growing intervals, such as tactics, opening lines or endgame positions. Spaced repetition is a study method that revisits material at growing intervals, such as tactics, opening lines or endgame positions, so that knowledge moves into long-term memory instead of fading after one session. People forget most of what they study unless they see it again at the right moments. Spaced repetition takes advantage of that: you review an item soon after learning it, then after a longer gap, then a longer one again, and each successful recall strengthens the memory. In chess it suits anything you want to recall quickly and accurately. [Opening](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opening.md) lines, key [endgame](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/endgame.md) positions, tactical [patterns](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pattern-recognition.md) and your own past [mistakes](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/mistake.md) all fit well. A simple version needs only a notebook or a set of digital cards. Add each position with the correct idea on the back, and review the ones you got wrong more often than the ones you found easy. A common mistake is reviewing by rereading, which feels productive but tests nothing. Try to produce the answer before you look: name the plan, play the line from memory, or find the winning move. Another mistake is collecting thousands of cards and then never doing the reviews. Keep the set small and meaningful. A short daily session of ten or fifteen minutes does more than a long weekly one. Combine it with [game review](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/game-review.md) so that your cards come from positions you actually met. Also called: spaced review. Compare it with [Study plan](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/study-plan.md). A study plan is a written, realistic schedule that divides your chess training time among tactics, endgames, openings, game review and playing, aimed at the specific weaknesses your own games reveal. A neighboring idea is [Chess training](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/chess-training.md). Chess training is the organized, repeated practice of specific skills such as tactics, endgames, openings and calculation, designed to raise playing strength steadily rather than relying on playing games alone. A neighboring idea is [Endgame study](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/endgame-study.md). Endgame study is the focused practice of reduced-material positions, learning the basic checkmates, pawn endings and rook endings that decide many games and sharpen your sense of what each piece is worth. Training ideas such as "Spaced repetition" work best with a plan built for you, and the [first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book/first-lesson.md) with George Li produces one from your own games. ## Related terms - [Study plan](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/study-plan.md) - [Pattern recognition](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pattern-recognition.md) - [Puzzle theme](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/puzzle-theme.md) - [Opening repertoire](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opening-repertoire.md) - [Tactics training](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/tactics-training.md) - [Deliberate practice](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/deliberate-practice.md) ## Guides that go further - [How to choose a chess coach](https://georgelichess.com/how-to-choose-a-chess-coach.md): What to decide first, the questions to ask, what a first lesson should show and the red flags to avoid. - [How much does chess coaching cost?](https://georgelichess.com/chess-coaching-cost.md): Published rates for private, group and subscription chess coaching, with the source and the date of each. - [The first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book/first-lesson.md): A game review, a read on your level and a written study plan from George Li. [Book your first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book.md) and George Li reviews your games and builds a study plan around them. Questions about lessons: write to hello@georgelichess.com. ## Related - [Study plan in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/study-plan.md) - [Pattern recognition in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pattern-recognition.md) - [Puzzle theme in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/puzzle-theme.md) - [Opening repertoire in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opening-repertoire.md) - [Tactics training in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/tactics-training.md) - [Deliberate practice in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/deliberate-practice.md) - [Chess terms: Training and psychology](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/training-psychology.md) - [Chess terms glossary: plain definitions](https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md)