Blind Chess & Coordinates Notes - Bhagirath

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 To play blind chess, we must visualize the chessboard in our mind without seeing the board.

Blind chess helps to improve:

  • Visualization
  • Memory
  • Focus
  • Calculation
  • Board awareness




We give numbers to files to identify square colors quickly.

  • a = 1
  • b = 2
  • c = 3
  • d = 4
  • e = 5
  • f = 6
  • g = 7
  • h = 8

Example:

  • a is 1 because it is the 1st file
  • b is 2 because it is the 2nd file

Ranks are:

  • 1 to 8

Color Rule

Black Square

  • odd + odd
  • even + even

Examples:

  • a1 = black
  • b2 = black
  • h8 = black
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1. Chessboard Coordinates Basics

A chessboard has:

  • Files = columns → a b c d e f g h

  • Ranks = rows → 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Example:

  • a1

  • e4

  • h8

Each square has:

  • one letter

  • one number

2. Square Color Trick (Very Important)

BLACK Squares Rule

If both are:

  • Odd + Odd

  • Even + Even

→ The square is BLACK

Examples:

  • a1 → odd + odd → black

  • c3 → odd + odd → black

  • b2 → even + even → black

  • h8 → even + even → black

WHITE Squares Rule

If both are:

  • Odd + Even

  • Even + Odd

→ The square is WHITE

Examples:

  • a2 → odd + even → white

  • b1 → even + odd → white

  • c4 → odd + even → white

  • h7 → even + odd → white

3. File Number Conversion

File

Number

a

1

b

2

c

3

d

4

e

5

f

6

g

7

h

8

4. Examples

Square

Calculation

Color

a1

odd + odd

Black

a2

odd + even

White

b1

even + odd

White

b2

even + even

Black

e4

odd + even

White

g7

odd + odd

Black

h1

even + odd

White

h8

even + even

Black

5. Fast Blind Chess Visualization

Corner Squares

  • a1 = black

  • h1 = white

  • a8 = white

  • h8 = black

Remember:
Diagonal corners have SAME color.

6. Coordinate Practice

Beginner Practice

Say color instantly:

  • a2 → White

  • d5 → White

  • f6 → Black

  • g4 → White

  • c7 → Black

Reverse Practice

Say square color without board.

Example:

  • e3 → black

  • b5 → white

  • h2 → black

7. Blind Chess Training Exercises

Exercise 1 — Color Call

Ask:
“What color is c6?”

Answer instantly.

Exercise 2 — Knight Visualization

Imagine:

  • Knight on e4

  • Find all knight moves mentally.

Exercise 3 — Board Memory

Close eyes and imagine:

  • White king on g1

  • Black queen on d4

  • White rook on a1

Now answer:

  • Is queen attacking king?

  • What color is d4?

8. Super Fast Shortcut

SAME parity = BLACK

  • odd-odd

  • even-even

DIFFERENT parity = WHITE

  • odd-even

  • even-odd

9. Important Note

a2→(1,2)→odd-even→white square

Example:

  • a = 1 (odd)

  • 2 = even

  • odd-even = white square

So:

a2 is WHITE ✅


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  • Always know the color of the square.

  • Imagine the board from White side.

  • Visualize one square at a time.

  • Learn knight movement mentally.

  • Remember diagonals for bishops.

  • Rooks move in straight lines.

  • Queens combine rook + bishop movement.

  • Practice saying coordinates loudly.

  • See the board in your mind before moving.

  • Start with 4 - 5 pieces only.

  • Focus on center squares: e4, d4, e5, d5.

  • Remember corner colors:

    • a1 = black

    • h1 = white

    • a8 = white

    • h8 = black

  • Same color bishops stay on same color forever.

  • Try solving positions without touching pieces.

  • Blind chess improves memory, focus, and calculation speed.

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