On 07 Jan 2004 22:00:18 GMT, ospam (Jerome Bibuld)
wrote:

I find it very hard to believe that Fischer could not visualize one board in
his mind. How could he replay games sight unseen? It is my belief than any
reasonably strong tournament player learns how to do this. I have never been
stronger than a "reasonable" USCF Class A player, but can still play a game
blindfold. This seems to me merely a question of being familiar with the
fundamental concepts of positional play and the visualization required of all
USCF Class C players.

My experience matches yours. I have played opponents ranging from
class D through high Expert, both sides blindfold, over the years, and
did not find that the ability to play blindfold, in itself, correlated
much with chess strength.

However, a thread in this newsgroup some months ago, where a fairly
strong player stated he had *never* been able to play blindfold, gave
me pause. I still think most players can play without sight of the
board.

I believe the Soviets at one time discouraged blindfold play,
believing it mentally harmful.