
"Is it really true, that solving
chess positions and problems only in your mind without a board or
diagram is a useful method of chess training ?
Yes, I believe so.
First, you will increase your calculation ability
and avoid missing “long moves” such as Qg1-a1-a8 in variations,
very often a mistake of many chess players. In addition you will “feel”
the geometry of the chess board much better (lines, diagonals etc.)
It becomes natural.
At the high level, blind training can help to keep
deep concentration for a long time. An absolutely necessary quality
of Masters or Grandmasters. For example: before my biggest success
in the Cup of Russia (Tomsk, 1998), where I shared 3rd place in company of 6 GMs, I gave a few blind simuls, each with
3-5 opponents. As a fact: for many strong players it is practically
not important how they play chess – with looking at the chessboard
or without calculating the moves in their minds. The probably most
famous example is – GM Vassily Ivanchuk, who only takes a look
at the board when pieces are moved.
The Chess Eye is unique and contains several kinds
of exercises where any player can find a good one for his level. Your
rating will
improve if you keep on exercising, make your way from #1 to the end."
IM Denis Salinnikov
Chess info IM Salinnikov -
His website in english