Poker or Chess???

[TimM]

[ QUOTE ]
Even when you're past the opening move sequence, all moves and situations analyzing them is just comparing them and matching them to previous situations that you've played out before that are in your memory.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is true, but it's more on the level of understanding than memorization.

e.g. You're playing a game and reach a position similar to one in a game you studied years ago. How do the ideas you learned from that game apply in the current situaion, and how do the differences affect them. This is a far cry from rote memorization.