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how do you learn to play blindfold chess?

#1

Hey everybody,

I'm really interested in playing blindfold chess and recently, I started a YouTube channel with puzzles to practice it. So my questions are about blindfold chess in general and in addition, it would be great to get some feedback for my small channel.

In general, I want to ask you three kinds questions:

  1. What is the best way to practice blindfold chess? How do you it?
  2. What do you think of my videos? Are they helpful to practice blindfold chess? What can I improve to help you with your progress?
  3. Do you think playing blindfold is improving your chess in general? What are other benefits?

I would be happy to have a discussion with all of you and I'm very interested in your feedback!

Here is the link to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3XwoQPnrctRzAnT3oib4sQ/videos

Please note: I am not trying to advertise my videos, I am just interested in what chess players think about it and what I can improve. Thank you so much!

Hey everybody, I'm really interested in playing blindfold chess and recently, I started a YouTube channel with puzzles to practice it. So my questions are about blindfold chess in general and in addition, it would be great to get some feedback for my small channel. In general, I want to ask you three kinds questions: 1) What is the best way to practice blindfold chess? How do you it? 2) What do you think of my videos? Are they helpful to practice blindfold chess? What can I improve to help you with your progress? 3) Do you think playing blindfold is improving your chess in general? What are other benefits? I would be happy to have a discussion with all of you and I'm very interested in your feedback! Here is the link to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3XwoQPnrctRzAnT3oib4sQ/videos Please note: I am not trying to advertise my videos, I am just interested in what chess players think about it and what I can improve. Thank you so much!
#2

I like to visualize a board, just like I was looking at one. Then I update that board every move. No trick to it, just do it and it works for me

I like to visualize a board, just like I was looking at one. Then I update that board every move. No trick to it, just do it and it works for me
#3

I dont know how to play blindfold, but I've thought a lot about it. I think what I would do is

  1. memorize all the squares (light or dark)
  2. for each square, memorize what diagonal its on - be able to name all the other squares on each of the 2 diagonals its on
  3. memorize knight moves from every square
  4. get the book Chess Mazes by Bruce Albertson. They are not quite chess puzzles, but rather puzzles that make you aware of zones of control of pieces spread accross the board. Usually you start out with one piece (i.e. bishop) and you have to navigate the shortest path to check the enemy king. But you cannot land on a square where your piece can be captured by the opponent pieces. Practice doing these blindfold.
  5. Start practicing games in blindfold mode here on lichess
I dont know how to play blindfold, but I've thought a lot about it. I think what I would do is 1) memorize all the squares (light or dark) 2) for each square, memorize what diagonal its on - be able to name all the other squares on each of the 2 diagonals its on 3) memorize knight moves from every square 4) get the book Chess Mazes by Bruce Albertson. They are not quite chess puzzles, but rather puzzles that make you aware of zones of control of pieces spread accross the board. Usually you start out with one piece (i.e. bishop) and you have to navigate the shortest path to check the enemy king. But you cannot land on a square where your piece can be captured by the opponent pieces. Practice doing these blindfold. 5) Start practicing games in blindfold mode here on lichess
#4
  1. There is a lot of different exercises. I don't know any single one which is better that the other.
  2. I haven't seen your videos.
  3. It improves memory, visualisation and concentration. As a result you play chess better.
1. There is a lot of different exercises. I don't know any single one which is better that the other. 2. I haven't seen your videos. 3. It improves memory, visualisation and concentration. As a result you play chess better.
#5
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#6

I have hard time learning the notation. If you know the notation, you can easily learn how to play blindfoldet. I started since 2-3 Days to say outloud every notation. It gets better and better. Good luck.

I have hard time learning the notation. If you know the notation, you can easily learn how to play blindfoldet. I started since 2-3 Days to say outloud every notation. It gets better and better. Good luck.
#7

There is no special training. It comes with overall chess skills (in the majority of cases).

There is no special training. It comes with overall chess skills (in the majority of cases).
#8
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#9

I have to agree with @Sarg0n . You will be able to play a chess match entirely blindfold only once you've spent hours and hours on the chess board, playing some classical chess. So: first of all master the game itself, then blindfold. But I don't think it'll give you that help in OTB chess

I have to agree with @Sarg0n . You will be able to play a chess match entirely blindfold only once you've spent hours and hours on the chess board, playing some classical chess. So: first of all master the game itself, then blindfold. But I don't think it'll give you that help in OTB chess
#10

I think, that blindfold skills develop, as you play standard chess.

  1. I think, that the best way to practice something, is by... well, by practicing: So in this case, by playing blindfolded as well as by studying games, while not seeing any board nor pieces (e.g.: You could study the Opera Game, but only see the moves and try to figure out the best ideas, follow ups and moves for both sides). I do not really try to immprove my blindfolded skills, but I can recommend this: https://chessinsights.org/blindfold/

  2. I haven't watched any of your videos, so I can't give you any advice or feedback. But in general, I think, that making videos or studies or compositions and things along those lines for others is great!

  3. Yes, I do think, that playing blindfolded will improve your chess - moreover, I think, that playing standard chess will help your blindfolded skills even more! Other benefits may be, that you will comprehend whole games purely by listening to the notation, but this will most probably not be useful that much and besides, this is just theoretical.

I hope, that this post was helpful, although it featured many "theorys".

I think, that blindfold skills develop, as you play standard chess. 1) I think, that the best way to practice something, is by... well, by practicing: So in this case, by playing blindfolded as well as by studying games, while not seeing any board nor pieces (e.g.: You could study the Opera Game, but only see the moves and try to figure out the best ideas, follow ups and moves for both sides). I do not really try to immprove my blindfolded skills, but I can recommend this: https://chessinsights.org/blindfold/ 2) I haven't watched any of your videos, so I can't give you any advice or feedback. But in general, I think, that making videos or studies or compositions and things along those lines for others is great! 3) Yes, I do think, that playing blindfolded will improve your chess - moreover, I think, that playing standard chess will help your blindfolded skills even more! Other benefits may be, that you will comprehend whole games purely by listening to the notation, but this will most probably not be useful that much and besides, this is just theoretical. I hope, that this post was helpful, although it featured many "theorys".

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