Tuesday, July 4, 2017

How visually impaired play Chess


The Chess Board of 64 squares has the following modifications:
•All the Black squares are raised about 3-4 mm above the white squares. By feeling the squares, the player is able to determine whether the square is a black or a white one.
•Each of the squares on the Board has a hole in the centre so that the pieces can be fixed in these holes.
•Each of the pieces has a downward projection (nail) at the base, which fits into the hole in the squares on the Board, thereby fixing the piece securely on the board.
•All the Black pieces have a pin fixed on their heads helping the player distinguish between a white and a black piece.


The players therefore, by feeling the raised or the lowered squares can figure out whether the piece is on a black or a white square. By feeling the shape of the piece, they can determine whether the piece is a Pawn, Rook, Bishop, Knight, Queen or King. The touch of the pin on the pieces helps the player from distinguishing a white piece from a black one. The player is therefore able to have a clear picture in his mind of the position on the Board. He is now ready to take on any opponent, sighted or otherwise.

Reference : http://www.ibca-info.org/how-visually-impaired-play-chess.php