chess for the blind

       I would like to know if there is anyway blind people can play chess.I think that it would require a special board  and pieces that have braille symbols on them so they can be read by these individuals. Any information you can convey to me  will be very appreciated since I recently made an acquaintance with  a military veteran who lost his sight in service  to our country. thanks ....Aglitatta

Perhaps it could incorporate a vocalized system in it as well?

 

In general, yes, they can. For over-the-board, a secondary can be used so the player can keep track of the pieces and calling out the moves or using an assistant is possible.

 Thanks Martin...Aggie

I wrote the following in this forum discussion linked below (Apologies, I am using the mobile app which doesn’t automatically recognise inserted links)
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/excalibur-grandmaster-platinum-chess-computer-1997

“My current favourite computer is the Talking Chess Academy by Saitek as its various fun levels offer a different character of play. Currently working on Fun Level 52 out of 60 (if that means anything).

The computer has 100 annotated lessons.

It hasn’t passed my by that this computer would be useful to a blind person as the moves, lessons, buttons and the entire menu system is voice annotated. All one would need is a plastic grid to go over the board denoting the squares by touch and brail indexes along the side and bottom of the board.”

The computer is no longer manufactured but could be found on the second hand market.

The computer also has normal chess levels and is quite strong - though not as strong as modern chess engines.

Mean while, the current DGT Pi, connected to an active speaker, has voice annotation for moves. The Pi connects to a DGT smart board that recognises what piece is where.

Further more, the Pi runs on Python for which there are hobbyists programmers to be found in Python and Linux forums who may be able to add voice annotation for menus etc too.

All you’d need to do is add something non-destructive to the board surface to make it easier to know where the squares are by touch.

Hope this helps.

A British site that may be helpful:

http://www.braillechess.org.uk

 

   Rubicon0367                                                                                                                                                                         Yes  your info helps  a great deal. I will look into your advice.  Ty Aggie

   Thank You Ziggy- Zugzwang  for your kind suggestion, I will surely investigate this matter further....Aggie                                                                 P.S.   God  save  the  Queen

Also, I understand that Chess.com is working with DGT to make DGT smart boards compatible with the site. Follow the link below for more info.

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/dgt-play-is-enabled-in-chess-com-beta

If Chess.com does not have voice annotation for moves already (I haven’t checked) you could write to Chess.com requesting the feature.

    ok Rubicon that is  a very interesting avenue to travel. I will pursue all the  fabulous suggestions offered  to  me on this  thread    thank you all for showing the concern and interest pertaining to this issue I have presented.......love  Aglitatta

Amazon has multiple chess sets listed for blind players

   Great advice Ceasar49bc. I will definitely look into it  ...ty so much Aggie

I recommend aglitatta that you repost your thread on the forum “Chess Books and Equipment” for more ideas and suggestions especially surrounding electronic chess and also chess accessories such as chess clocks.

As Caesar49bc states for OTB playing there are specially designed boards. Here is an example at both Chess House (US) and Chess Baron (UK)

https://www.chessbaron.co.uk/category/chess-for-blind.php

https://www.chesshouse.com/collections/chess-for-blind-or-visually-impaired

cheers ziggy , you posted about braille chess , which i was about to mention , ,,,one thing however with otb club chess where one player was using braille pieces was a complaint by the opposing player that they had to notate the blind players moves , but otherwise than that i like how those with sight issues can also enjoy the game of chess plus id hazard a guess they have greater visualisation than sighted players

He/She can keep their score card on a tape recorder if they wish:

“The visually handicapped player must keep score of the game in Braille or longhand or record the moves on a tape recorder.

A slip of the tongue in the announcement of a move must be corrected immediately and before the clock of the opponent is started.”

From: http://www.braillechess.org.uk/rules/index.html

I wonder if anyone has asked Stevie Wonder if blind people can play musical instruments or told him that he can only play instruments adapted for the blind? I bet that would really infuriate him.

Sure, blind and visually impaired people should be made aware of aids designed around their disability but it shouldn’t be presumed that they can’t use the same things sighted people use with minor adaptations such as internet chess, chess computers or even regular chess boards. It shouldn’t be assumed that things have to be done for them like keeping a score card when easy solutions are available. Such presumptions may be well intentioned but risk taking away someone’s independence.

their might be a noise disturbance issue in speaking into a tape recorder at the table , but it is one solution

https://www.chess.com/club/the-daily-chess-teams-league