A basis that reduces to zero as many curvature components as possible (Q1187156)

In 1955 \textit{S. S. Chern} [Abh. Math. Semin. Univ. Hamb. 20, 117--126 (1955; Zbl 0066.17003)] simplified the discussion of the Gauss-Bonnet integrand by constructing a suitable basis in the tangent space \(T_pM\) of an \(n\)-dimensional Riemannian manifold \(M\). In this basis at least \(3(n-2)\) independent curvature components of the Riemannian tensor \(R_{abcd}\) could be reduced to zero. The purpose of this paper is to improve on Chern's achievement and to show that for \(n>4\) it is possible to increase this number for a general (algebraic) curvature tensor.