A common misconception. Chess masters do not memorize chess positions in the sense of memorize phone numbers. the do have a deep memory of strategic concepts which is very unlike say a computer would store a layout. When they play the know automatically which general strategic or shape of board to recall and evaluate. Check out this book on Goodreads: The Cambridge Handbook of Expertise and Expert Performance http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19252045-the-cambridge-handbook-of-expertise-and-expert-performance Also interesting to note that their ability to memorize phone numbers or other things like grocery list is average like everybody else . http://web.cecs.pdx.edu/~tymerski/ece101/Expert_mind_scientificamerican0806-64.pdf

As per cognitive science, all learning are modified brain cells. What we generally call understanding is considered as deep and wide neural network resulting in deep (long tern) memory. What we call as rote learning results on a shallow network. Note that as per working memory model, both types of memory as useful in solving problems and learning. deep memory is necessary for critical problem solving (working memory model). Shallow memory is also useful for developing automaticity and reducing cognitive load which as per researchers helps new learning(cognitive load theory). Think of it as knowing the times tables by heart frees the learners limited working memory resources to help create new knowledge of factorization or simplifying fractions. References: Cambridge Handbook of Expertise and Expert Performance (Cambridge Handbooks in Psychology) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_memory https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_load https://t.co/FfIVMcoNd0?amp=1 https://t.co/FuX5iwxEe0?amp=1