Swedish GM Axel Smith To Attempt 49-Board Blindfold Record

Swedish GM Axel Smith is preparing for an extraordinary test of mental endurance by playing 49 blindfold games simultaneously, not just in pursuit of a record, but to raise awareness for a climate campaign.

On Thursday, May 7, the Swedish grandmaster is targeting GM Timur Gareyev's record for most blindfold games simultaneously. The event will take place in his native Lund, just outside Malmo, where the TePe Sigeman Chess Tournament is underway.

Smith told Chess.com that the primary motivation is to raise awareness for the climate and democracy project Disobedient Referendum, which campaigns against fossil peat extraction in Sweden.

"Global warming is not a distant threat; the collapse is already here," Smith told Chess.com, adding: "I have myself been playing throughout my working life; this is a way to use chess for something more important. Banning peat extraction is a no-brainer, prioritising people's wish for powerful climate policies over the industry's desire for profit."

I have myself been playing throughout my working life; this is a way to use chess for something more important.
—Axel Smith

The 40-year-old is a Swedish grandmaster, coach, and author, widely known for his work on chess improvement. He has authored several influential books on chess training, such as Pump Up Your Rating and The Woodpecker Method, both available on Chessable. He also holds an impressive marathon personal best of 2:28:47.

That stamina may prove useful, as he has limited experience with blindfold simuls. "I played 15 games in 2011, which took eight hours and went well (11½-3½)," he said. "Apart from that, I have only played a few boards on a couple of occasions."

Smith noted that playing 49 games simultaneously means keeping track of 1,568 pieces for more than 24 hours. Asked how he has prepared for the challenge, he said:

"By playing 49 games against myself, while trying to surprise myself with unexpected moves," he explained. "The longest I have tried is eight moves, so beyond that, I have no idea."

He has developed his own system to keep track of all the positions: "For quite a few months, I have rehearsed a memory system with different images for each board, each opening strategy, each square, and each opening the opponent might choose."

As an example, he described how he encodes one specific opening: "If game 30 starts with 1.d4 e6 2.c4 Bb4+, it's Gandhi during the Salt March (1930), reaching the playing hall in the Swedish Championship… using a sword (a check)."

Blindfold simuls have a long history that dates back to 1947, when GM Miguel Najdorf played 45 games simultaneously in Sao Paulo, Brazil. That record stood until 2011, when FM Marc Lang played 45 games over 23 hours in Sontheim, Germany.

In Las Vegas in 2016, Gareyev played 48 games with a mask covering his eyes while sitting on an exercise bike. After 19 hours, the Uzbek grandmaster finished with 35 wins, 7 draws, and 6 losses. 

This attempt is unlikely to be approved as an official Guinness World Record due to its format. "As the simul will take over 24 hours, it would be inhumane to insist opponents stay until the games end, while waiting most of the time," he said.

After three hours of play, all games will continue online. If a player is unable to move due to sleep or work, staff will make a move on their behalf. "I guess that makes the simul ineligible," he admitted.

Smith also pointed out that the participant pool differs from typical elite simuls: "There are also more non-chess players than normal, which might actually be a challenge due to unorthodox moves."

The grandmaster admitted he is not confident about it. "I don't have the same ability as others who gave similar simuls," he said. "Nevertheless, on a good day, I feel it should be possible; let's hope that day is Thursday."

He also noted potential complications if games are played online: "If someone playing online starts using the engine, it will be even tougher!"

All games from the simul will be broadcast on Chess.com.