historical blindfold games, current events and videos

So we’ve taken a look at some of the games of the 2014 chess World Championship competitors, but what about the official commentators?  Here’s an example game where Svidler was playing none other than a certain M. Carelsen.  A game he most likely would like to forget…

So, we’ve seen a couple blindfold games of Anand, so let’s see if the Champ also has the stuff.  I’d say yes.  Here he dismantles Judit Polgar.  In keeping with the blindfold theme, check out the lovely 25. Rc4! rook sac.  Hardly seems fair to use distraction when you’re not even looking at the board.

So why do we bother training blindfold chess?  On the one hand, there are tangible benefits to our game with increased board awareness, improved ability to calculate long lines, and a host of other improvements to our game.  But isn’t impressing our friends an even better reason?

In honor of the ongoing Chess World Championship, let’s start by taking a look at some of Anand’s best blindfold games.  In this first game, Anand topped Topalov in a clean game in which Anand came up with some unique and interesting ideas.  The decisive result in his favor was fitting.