I have been wondering about this question. Before I knew I was an aphant blindfolded chess was some vodoo magic. I think if you have 'some' imagination you can maybe figure out ways to maximize that. Without visualization I guess you would have to translate the board into something more conceptual? But this does feel like a disadvantage.
Aphantasia and Chess
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Hey there, I just posted elsewhere looking for fellow aphants that have found strategies to help with learning chess. Anyone?
for Blitz I think it´s ok as it relies more in instinct and for Classical chess, it´s definitely a handicap.
I’m an Aphant, which makes it hard to work more than one or two moves ahead, I can’t see them, so I have to sort of do it instinctively. I’m sure this means there will be a rating ceiling. I don’t mind as I am playing for fun. At the level I’m at it’s one move blunders on both sides anyway. (600 blitz).
I know a 2000 Aphant OTB at my local club and she is at no ceiling!!!!!
Aphantasia is the condition where a person doesn't have an "eyes mind", it has some pros but also a lot of drawbacks, not being able to visualize the board is one of them.
I wonder if there´s a lower skill ceiling, being an Aphant. Calling out all Aphants out there, to share their experience.