Learning pro games

A traditional method of teaching is to ask students to memorise one or more complete high-level games.

This suggestion is still made. One should probably see it as a way to try to put players directly in touch with the fundamentals, without verbose instruction. It is generally recommended not to look at the game commentary before having memorized (understood) the game fully.

A reasonably strong player can learn much of a game by playing it through a few times - taking an hour or so. It could easily take a beginner a week.