It is said that given enough time even an average player can play the "best" move in any given position.
Thus the real question in chess is that of time control. It has been argued by several chess tutors/authors (e.g Dan Heisman) that differences in a player's "thinking system" is what differentiates a patzer from a master. Because both players have the same amount of time in which to make moves, the one with superior time management (which, in this sense, is used to mean "how long it takes to make a good move/the best move") will win.
If we give the patzer unlimited time, but the master normal time controls, in theory the patzer should win (or at the very least draw).
So, how does one create an algorithm (aka a thinking system) that allows the player to make good moves (but not necessarily the "best" moves, since that would be impossible) while still being time-conscious? How do the masters do it?
Things to consider:
How would such a system operate?
Would it be hierarchical or web-like?
Would it consider each position a separate case with its own algorithm or be totally universal?
How much should memory (of openings and games) be involved?