Playing chess blindfold: method, records and great pioneers
A blindfold game is played without seeing the board: moves are announced and the whole position is kept in memory. The Guinness-recognised record is 48 simultaneous games, set by Timur Gareyev in Las Vegas in December 2016. This practice by sighted players should not be confused with chess for blind people.
Blindfold or blind: a clarification
In French, the phrase « jouer aux échecs à l'aveugle » is confusing. It refers to an exercise in memory and visualisation, often presented as a show or demonstration: a player faces one or more opponents without ever looking at the boards. Blind players, for their part, need adapted equipment: see the page on the tactile chessboard and the page on famous blind chess players.
Simultaneous blindfold records
| Player | Year | Games | Place and details |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Koltanowski | 1937 | 34 | Edinburgh; European record, then world record before Najdorf |
| Miguel Najdorf | 1947 | 45 | São Paulo; according to Guinness: 39 wins, 4 draws, 2 losses, over 23 hours |
| Marc Lang | 2011 | 46 | 26-27 November 2011 |
| Timur Gareyev | 2016 | 48 | Las Vegas (University of Nevada), 3-4 December; 35 wins, 7 draws, 6 losses; 19 h 9 min |
Najdorf's record stood for sixty-four years, until Marc Lang's. Timur Gareyev, of Uzbek nationality according to Guinness, played while using a exercise bike. His attempt was not yet official when it was announced; it was then recognised by Guinness, and FIDE reported it on 24 March 2017. The exact dates of Najdorf's performance vary between sources (January 1947).
The method: how to train
- Learn the coordinates. Know instantly that a1 is a dark square and that e4 is central.
- Visualise paths. Mentally trace the movement of a knight or a bishop across the board.
- Replay games. Replay known games from their notation, without a board.
- Move on to a full game against a partner who can see the board and announces your move.
- Use structure. Recognise pawn chains, open files and tactical themes rather than memorising piece by piece.
This training is not reserved for champions: it strengthens concentration and working memory. Le Palais des Échecs explains how training your memory through chess is a common benefit of playing.
Why it is not an exercise reserved for sighted people
Blind players also practise visualisation: when the tactile board is explored with the fingers, the position is rebuilt in the mind. The difference lies in the relationship to the equipment, not in the way of thinking. Blind players of very high level, such as those who compete in IBCA tournaments, can also play without touching the board.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play chess blindfold?
Moves are announced in algebraic notation and the position is kept in mind. To practise: learn the coordinates of every square, replay short games mentally, then move on to full games against a partner who keeps the board in view.
What is the record for blindfold games?
According to Guinness World Records, Timur Gareyev played 48 simultaneous blindfold games at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, on 3 and 4 December 2016: 35 wins, 7 draws and 6 losses in 19 hours and 9 minutes.
Is it the same as playing chess when you are blind?
No. A blindfold player can see normally and chooses not to look at the board. A blind player has no sight and uses a tactile board. Both rely on keeping the position in memory.