Examined the relation of age and skill to problem solving in chess, using 34 16–64 yr old males in 2 experiments. Ss were selected to vary widely in age and skill such that these variables were uncorrelated. Problem-solving and memory tasks were administered. Skill level was the only significant predictor for accuracy in both a choose-a-move task and a speeded end-game evaluation task. Age (negatively) and skill (positively) jointly determined performance in an unexpected recall task. Efficient chunking in recall was positively related to skill, though negatively related to age. Recognition confidence was negatively related to age. Thus, despite age-related declines in encoding and retrieval of information, older Ss matched the problem-solving performance of equivalently skilled younger Ss. Apparently, they can search the problem space more efficiently, as evidenced by taking less time to select an equally good move. Models of chess skill that stress the role of encoding efficiency, as indexed by chunking in recall, need to be modified to account for performance over the life span. (73 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)