Blind Chess

Hi,

I would like to learn to play blind chess (chess without a board), because I think it would improve my normal chess skills (calculation, analysis etc) a lot. Also, it would be possible to read chess books without a board and analize some interesting positions even if chess board is not available (e.g. in a bus, during a walk).

Is there are anybody who is interested in blind chess too?

yup, I even tried to play 2 games at once in chessmaster blind, but I found it extremely hard, so I don't usually do it a lot. In every game I try to remember/recognize all the patterns ( most of the time easy ones) wich helpes me with blind fold chess.

I would be.It would be really neat

 Some might think two games would be twice as hard as one, but it feels more like ten times as hard. It's a good trick though, and if you can play a decent game fast you might impress someone at a party.

Personally, I kick ass at blind chess when there's an analysis board.  

I agree with Eiwob and forkypinner, that it is not very hard to play without peaces, but it is hard to play without board.

Anyone tried exercises to improve board "feeling"? And, if yes, what exercises?

I did some search and found following trainers available online:

• http://www.dhtmlgoodies.com/scripts/chess-blindfold-trainer/chess-blindfold-trainer.html
• http://38i.biz/blindchess/ (based on trainer from dhtmlgoodies.com)

There is another one trainer available online -- http://chesseye.alexander-fleischer.de/o/ (free registration is required).

it's nice ... I'd

Blind chess is very hard when you start, the reason it is easy for most masters is because they have very good visualiation skills, which you need in blind chess.  Also, the best thing you can do is play chess on a real board regularly but every time you make a move say the algebraic notation to yourself.  That way in the future you will recall the patterns that you see.  For an example when you move your king side night out in it's regular spot.  Most beginners would have to count to F and 3 or count sideways and vertically to arrive with the simple opening move Nf3.  By saying the notation while you play, you get use to knowing that you move your knight to f3, this really helped me get a fast start to blind chess, when your ready ask a family member or friend to test you.  If you try hard you will most likely be surprised by the fantastic results.

I believe Topalov played blindfolded against another strong player who was not blindfolded and creamed him. Oh to be that good.

I think it's a more difficult game than normal because human's naturally play based on visual calculation, as this is how the memory operates.  Visualising something is harder with the mind than with the eye. Technically computers play 'blindfold' chess all the time since they don't have eyeballs as such lol.

Here is a website that helps you learning blind chess: https://chessninja.org/

I can play one game blindfold, the important point is to remember the pawn structure for both sides, after each move first thing to do is to repeat in ones mind , where are his pawns and where are mine, pieces are easier to remember 

It is also my experience that while playing blind one tends to play a more restrained and more logical game compared to when the same person is playing with sight of board