Blindfold Chess - A Challenging Way to Use Your Chess Set

If you’re looking for a new and challenging way to enjoy the game of chess and you’re not into the idea of buying a Star Wars chess set to spice things up, then you should perhaps think of trying out blindfold chess. Now, to be fair, it’s not a new concept exactly, as it was first devised more than 1,000 years ago, although it’s not as widely known and played as it should be today.

Blindfold chess is an intensely challenging version of the globally popular game, which involves the same chess set up as normal, but with the removal of the ability to see the chessboard as you play. As the name would suggest, it involves a blindfold and a much greater degree of mental recall to be able to play from start to finish with nothing but your memory.

Not Seeing the Chess Set Requires Improved Memory Skills

When you play the blindfolded version of chess, you really up the ante when it comes to memory and multitasking skills. Of course, there are many blind chess players out there and playing the game with the same lack of visual input makes you realise just how much is required in terms of mental acuity and memory. The top blind chess players are incredibly skillful at what they do.

Players like Darpan Inani, who is ranked as India’s number one visually imparied chess player, are able to keep track of where both their chess pieces and those of their opponent are placed at any given point during the game. And whilst it might seem initially that a non-sighted chess player is at a disadvantage, the truth is very different - especially when playing blindfold chess against them!

So, How do You Get Started on Playing Blindfold Chess?

If you’ve only ever used your chess set to play the standard version of the game, then you might be at a loss for how to begin playing it blindfolded. Now, the term ‘blindfolded’ is a loose one and you don’t necessarily have to put a blindfold on to play it. It’s just a matter of not having a direct view of the chessboard and the pieces on it, other than the image in your mind.

Becoming proficient at blindfold chess is not usually an overnight thing unless you have a natural flair for it. It’s something that requires the player to train his or her mind to be able to visualise where all the chess set pieces are from the start to the end of the game. To get there, you need to start slowly and build your ability as you play more.

You Need to Learn How to Set Up a Chess Board in Your Mind

At the outset, you should start by having your chessboard and chess pieces out in front of you and you should make your opening three to four moves on each side with them. Whilst you’re doing this, you’ll be trying to memorize the piece placements and commit them memory. Try then removing the pieces and learning how to set up a chess board in the same way simply by recalling it.

Once you’ve mastered this skill, you can then expand to five, six or seven moves. As soon as you get stuck, reset the pieces and start again. You’ll find with some practice that you’ll develop the ability to perform 10 moves from memory, then 15, 20, 30 and then ultimately, you will be able to go all the way to the end of the game. It’s a tried and trusted method of learning blindfold chess that’s used around the world.

A Skill That Will Impress Your Friends & Help You in Life

Being able to proficiently play chess from memory, without a chess set in sight is certainly something that will impress your friends and family, but its benefits are much more far-reaching than that. That’s because blindfold chess requires an enhanced ability to visualise where all the pieces are throughout the game whilst also trying to win.

Developing your ability to play the blindfolded version of the game helps you to improve your visualisation skills which are very useful in life too. How many times have you heard that being able to visualise your goal is the key to success? Well, that’s because it’s true and with the skill in your back pocket, you can benefit hugely on and away from the chessboard.

Helping Players to Enjoy the Game in Its Many Forms

Chess is a game that has existed for centuries and its appeal is so broad that it’s as popular now as it has ever been. Blindfold chess is just one of the various ways in which you can enjoy the timeless pastime and you get to develop your mental acuity tremendously as you do it. We’d recommend trying it for yourself to see how you fare. Who knows, you could end up being the next blindfold chess Grand Master!

At the Official Staunton Chess Company, we supply players all around the with the finest chess set choices you will find anywhere online. During our many years in the industry, we’ve been lucky enough to supply chess equipment to highly prestigious customers like The Savoy Hotel in London, Linley at Belgravia and even Her Majesty the Queen.

So, if you’re looking for a marble chess set, a glass chess set or one made from the most beautiful mahogany and acacia, we’re sure you’ll find something you’ll like from our comprehensive range. Visit us online at www.officialstaunton.com and take a look around. Alternatively, if you have any trouble choosing between the many options, call our friendly team on (0)1948-880060 and they’ll be more than happy to help find what you’re looking for.

We hope that you enjoyed reading this article and that it has illustrated there are many different ways you can enjoy the game. Check back with us soon for more from the home of top quality chess sets, chess pieces, chess boxes and more.