Page 65 - The Art of Learning by Josh Waitzkin_Neat plip book

I. It is important to understand that by numbers to leave numbers, or form to leave form, I am describing a
process in which technical information is integrated into what feels like natural intelligence. Sometimes
there will literally be numbers. Other times there will be principles, patterns, variations, techniques,
ideas. A good literal example of this process, one that does in fact involve numbers, is a beginner’s very
first chess lesson. All chess players learn that the pieces have numerical equivalents—bishops and knights
are worth three pawns, a rook is five pawns, a queen is nine. Novices are counting in their heads or on
their fingers before they make exchanges. In time, they will stop counting. The pieces will achieve a more
flowing and integrated value system. They will move across the board like fields of force. What was once
seen mathematically is now felt intuitively.