Here is a video that made me want to play blindfolded
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efj_3ceLqJE
But you don't have to be strong and 1800-2000 rated to be able to play blindfold, i know 1500 rated who is better than me and can beat me if we are both playing blindfolded. He can even play in 2 boards. Some peope are gifted and have photographic memory, but playing blindfold is completely achievable, even if you start from zero.
It improves your calculation a lot and you will be solving more complex tactics and will no longer hang pieces for free.
did you build on it, by perhaps playing a game with a sparring partner until you couldn't...?
(review the 'game' then after some tactics or whatever do another game)
or did you find out one day that, suprisingly, you could play a whole game with someone.
I'm interested in how one might work up to doing a whole game.
I can probably play maybe 6-8 moves before I'd be lost and unsure what is where...
No. I started with exercises, the ones from Samantha's article how to play blindfold chess here on chesscom article page. Also IM Danny has couple of videos on video page.
Step 1 was i think to see a board and instantly point out where c5 is, where d3 is etc. There are drills on V3
Step 2 was to memorize colors. For example all chess players know that h1 aquare has to be white in order to play chess game. Becouse it's a rule. And you go from there. If h1 is white, that means g2 is white also, becouse is diagonal and f3 is white also and e4 - whole diagonal is white color. Then you go if h1 is white then g1 next to him must be black etc. There are other methods but i learned that way whole chess board.
I practiced this every single night before i go to sleep for 10 min or so. When you are tired and want to sleep i forced my self to think so i can learn it quicker. It was real pain. And like that whole month. Some players know that instantly without practice at all.
Next step is to put a queen or knight on the board and try to move them without looking. For example we all know knight from b1 goes to c3. We already know b1 is white so c3 must be black , becouse knights always change colors of the squares when they move. Or c3 must be black, becouse is on the diagonal a1-h8 which we memorized is black. Then from c3 to d5 - white and so on and so on. Many times. Then you put opponents queen on lets say e4 and your knight on random square and you have to move it around the queen , but not on square that can be captured by the queen.
Next step is to memorize simple positions with few pieces. 2 kings and 3 pawns for example and try to see where they are on what squares, what colors are those squares, and try to move around the king...
Next step is to go on live server and play with blindfold pieces, but with open eyes so you can see blank chess board. You will be lost after 5 or 10 moves but after each game vs computer or human you will be better. Few months ago i won vs some 1200 rated in blitz.
Next step is to play completely blindfolded. I do that vs PC program Chessmaster 10. I take my keyboard on bed with eyes closed and i type moves and hear what move the computer has played. Recently beated that way ~ 1300 rated. And i get better after each game, 1500+ is very beatable.
Next step is to show off next time with friends and beat all of them simultaneusly blindfolded.