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MACA Book Review
Blindfold Chess: History, Psychology, Techniques, Champions, World Records, and Important Games Blindfold Chess: History, Psychology, Techniques, Champions, World Records, and Important Games
by: Eliot Hearst & John Knott

Price: $65.00
ISBN: 978-0-7864-3444-2
Format: Book 445pp.
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Inc.

Reviewed by: Chess Horizons Editor Mark Donlan
Recommendation: Recommended

The authors have more than thirty years experience between them in the study of blindfold chess, and they have used this to write what is likely to be the most comprehensive exposition on the subject ever written. They hunt down the earliest known instances of blindfold play, describe the personalities and achievements of some of the best blindfold players, present 444 blindfold games, and offer a summary of psychological research on blindfold chess.

The book is divided into three parts. Part one investigates the history of blindfold play, beginning before Philidor and carrying through until the present-day Amber events. Part two, the psychology of blindfold chess, encompasses research on general chess skill, psychological studies and commentaries, the techniques of the blindfold champions, and the supposed health hazards of blindfold play. Part three includes the games and reports on record-setting exhibitions. Numerous photographs, appendices, and indexes round out this scholarly work.

The entire introduction to Blindfold Chess is now available online.

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