# Speed, Quality, and the Optimal Timing of Complex Decisions: Field Evidence

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2201.10808 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2201.10808/

## Key facts

- Cited by 2 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 1 of its 35 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 26 Jan 2022.

## Builds on (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [Decisions and Performance Under Bounded Rationality: A Computational Benchmarking Approach](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2005.12638/) (2020)

## Built on by (most cited first, 2 of 2)

- [DeliChess: A Multi-party Dialogue Dataset for Deliberation in Chess Puzzle Solving](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2606.04987/) (2026)
- [Otter: A Time-Aware, History-Conditioned Human Chess AI](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2608.05206/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

This paper presents an empirical investigation of the relation between decision speed and decision quality for a real-world setting of cognitively-demanding decisions in which the timing of decisions is endogenous: professional chess. Move-by-move data provide exceptionally detailed and precise information about decision times and decision quality, based on a comparison of actual decisions to a computational benchmark of best moves constructed using the artificial intelligence of a chess engine. The results reveal that faster decisions are associated with better performance. The findings are consistent with the predictions of procedural decision models like drift-diffusion-models in which decision makers sequentially acquire information about decision alternatives with uncertain valuations.