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How to play blindfold chess as an average player?

#1

I ́m just an average player, my main account is around 2000 ELO in lichess. I'm obssessed with learning how to play blindfolded chess.
I know about the Lichess feature to not see the pieces, and that is why I created this account to play only like that. I'm absolutely terrible at it, I can't memorize the board or where the pieces are.

I'd love to hear some thoughts of how you achieved this, what type of training did you use and how long did it take you. I personally haven't found much information about this apart from a couple of blogposts and a few youtube videos.

I ́m just an average player, my main account is around 2000 ELO in lichess. I'm obssessed with learning how to play blindfolded chess. I know about the Lichess feature to not see the pieces, and that is why I created this account to play only like that. I'm absolutely terrible at it, I can't memorize the board or where the pieces are. I'd love to hear some thoughts of how you achieved this, what type of training did you use and how long did it take you. I personally haven't found much information about this apart from a couple of blogposts and a few youtube videos.
#2

I've never been into blindfold, so this is just some general suggestions.

If you have difficulties remembering where pieces are, then perhaps you could start with semi-blindfold first, i.e. pick a piece set like "disguised" that would show where the pieces are, but won't show you what kind of pieces they are. Then move on once you are comfortable.

Otherwise, looking into memory techniques might be useful.

I've never been into blindfold, so this is just some general suggestions. If you have difficulties remembering where pieces are, then perhaps you could start with semi-blindfold first, i.e. pick a piece set like "disguised" that would show where the pieces are, but won't show you what kind of pieces they are. Then move on once you are comfortable. Otherwise, looking into memory techniques might be useful.
#3

@bufferunderrun said in #2:

I've never been into blindfold, so this is just some general suggestions.

If you have difficulties remembering where pieces are, then perhaps you could start with semi-blindfold first, i.e. pick a piece set like "disguised" that would show where the pieces are, but won't show you what kind of pieces they are. Then move on once you are comfortable.

Otherwise, looking into memory techniques might be useful.

Thanks that is actually quite a good idea, I'll try that out definitely!

@bufferunderrun said in #2: > I've never been into blindfold, so this is just some general suggestions. > > If you have difficulties remembering where pieces are, then perhaps you could start with semi-blindfold first, i.e. pick a piece set like "disguised" that would show where the pieces are, but won't show you what kind of pieces they are. Then move on once you are comfortable. > > Otherwise, looking into memory techniques might be useful. Thanks that is actually quite a good idea, I'll try that out definitely!
#4

And remember: lichess is not Elo (a 2000 FIDE rating is much higher).

And remember: lichess is not Elo (a 2000 FIDE rating is much higher).
#6

One way is to ease yourself in with applications that give the position in words and then you solve. There are ways to make the positions easier or harder to solve. There are online sites that focus online problems and games plus apps that help with Blind play.
You can use a ladder of very weak engines like with Lucas Chess application (Start with Aqua4) and move up if say you win with White and Black in consecutive games. This provides an entry level where you can avoid losing every single game. You can handicap engine with time or denying it an opening book. You can set use the tutor and allow yourself say 5 takebacks initially. Adjust as needed.
I have to go now but will post more specifics when I look at my blind folder on my laptop.

One way is to ease yourself in with applications that give the position in words and then you solve. There are ways to make the positions easier or harder to solve. There are online sites that focus online problems and games plus apps that help with Blind play. You can use a ladder of very weak engines like with Lucas Chess application (Start with Aqua4) and move up if say you win with White and Black in consecutive games. This provides an entry level where you can avoid losing every single game. You can handicap engine with time or denying it an opening book. You can set use the tutor and allow yourself say 5 takebacks initially. Adjust as needed. I have to go now but will post more specifics when I look at my blind folder on my laptop.
#7

@EvilPyrokar Does mocking me give you some perverse, evil jollies?

@EvilPyrokar Does mocking me give you some perverse, evil jollies?
#8

Folks, keep it civil please.

Yes, Lichess uses Glicko2 instead of Elo and Elo isn't an acronym. See https://lichess.org/page/rating-systems

Folks, keep it civil please. Yes, Lichess uses Glicko2 instead of Elo and Elo isn't an acronym. See https://lichess.org/page/rating-systems
#9

@MrPushwood c mon, such a thin skin? I thought u could take more than that. But ok, i will go easier on u from now on.
By the way, no perverse just boredem..... just like u.

@MrPushwood c mon, such a thin skin? I thought u could take more than that. But ok, i will go easier on u from now on. By the way, no perverse just boredem..... just like u.
#10

Hey AIaCiega, I agree also with the advice to make things easier for yourself at first with buttons for pieces etc. and then as you improve to reduce the amount of assistance. I am more from the playing with the engine side of blindfold as I tried some blindfold sites but could never seem to get many people to play with me. I do have a Li account that I intended to play people blindfold but I never got started. You could try the Maia engine ladder on here in some games.

I started with a 400 engine on the Lucas chess engine ladder and advanced to the next engine after I won two consecutive games as Black and white. If I remember around 900, I had great difficult getting past an engine. After about a year, i was able to start a game at home, drive 30 minutes to my wife's work, resume the game for 10 or 15 minutes and then drive to a shopping mall and resume the game again all without losing the position. That felt really good!

I will assume that you are not so interested in the constrained engine play angle but prefer to play people. I assume that you are interested in things to improve your visualization and chess memory.

Sites
https://odinchess.com/about

http://noirchess.com/blindfoldtrainer/

Course:
Chessfactor (free)
https://www.chessfactor.com
Need to register for free
https://www.chessfactor.com/dashboard/
See the last course called Visualization in the Improver Path I think (can pause vid as he often does not wait long enough)
Selects 7 videos by IM Alex Astaneh
How to Improve your Chess Visualization? | Chess Vision and Calculation Training | Alex Astaneh
16 video series (about 10 minutes each)
https://www.___youtube.com/watch?v=WChrD2tXiWQ&list=PL9RQPxG_e-Ll1K2NChoHjH56wOLz8eQmV&index=1

Other Sites
Win Mac Linux by donation
https://sebastian.itch.io/blindfoldchess

I will divide the links up into several posts. Next is Android applications

Hey AIaCiega, I agree also with the advice to make things easier for yourself at first with buttons for pieces etc. and then as you improve to reduce the amount of assistance. I am more from the playing with the engine side of blindfold as I tried some blindfold sites but could never seem to get many people to play with me. I do have a Li account that I intended to play people blindfold but I never got started. You could try the Maia engine ladder on here in some games. I started with a 400 engine on the Lucas chess engine ladder and advanced to the next engine after I won two consecutive games as Black and white. If I remember around 900, I had great difficult getting past an engine. After about a year, i was able to start a game at home, drive 30 minutes to my wife's work, resume the game for 10 or 15 minutes and then drive to a shopping mall and resume the game again all without losing the position. That felt really good! I will assume that you are not so interested in the constrained engine play angle but prefer to play people. I assume that you are interested in things to improve your visualization and chess memory. Sites https://odinchess.com/about http://noirchess.com/blindfoldtrainer/ Course: Chessfactor (free) https://www.chessfactor.com Need to register for free https://www.chessfactor.com/dashboard/ See the last course called Visualization in the Improver Path I think (can pause vid as he often does not wait long enough) Selects 7 videos by IM Alex Astaneh How to Improve your Chess Visualization? | Chess Vision and Calculation Training | Alex Astaneh 16 video series (about 10 minutes each) https://www.___youtube.com/watch?v=WChrD2tXiWQ&list=PL9RQPxG_e-Ll1K2NChoHjH56wOLz8eQmV&index=1 Other Sites Win Mac Linux by donation https://sebastian.itch.io/blindfoldchess I will divide the links up into several posts. Next is Android applications

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