Chess and Checkers

Chess and checkers, two games loved for eons by people of all ages and abilities, even those with vision loss. Not to mention that while you're having fun, you're also keeping your mind alert. So let's jump right into a few ideas to set up the board and adapt the game to make it easier, no matter your level of vision.

Now, no matter what you're doing, good lighting is essential if you have low vision. So use a light with an adjustable neck to make the game board and your notes easier to see. You can also use a handheld, stand or video magnifier to make it easier to see the board and read your notes. When you use contrast in colors for the game boards or game pieces, they can also be easier to see and feel free to use any color combination that works for you.

Chess boards and pieces don't have to be black and white. Just make sure there are colors that reduce glare on your eyes like white, red or yellow pieces that stand out better on a darker colored board. Make sure you check out the resource section to find out where colored piece sets are available. If you have your own board at home, you can create large print or braille labels for the vertical and horizontal marks often called the rank and files. Go to the handout to learn more about how they're used to make your gameplay easier.

Some chess boards come with holes for pegs on the bottom of pieces to secure pieces in each grid space or you can just mark chess or checker pieces with a mark you can feel to tell the difference between colors. Some chess sets come with one color marked with a nail head on the top of each piece or do the same thing yourself using tape or bumps you can feel. Velcro pieces or crafting supplies to mark one color of chess pieces are another good option.

For checkers, buttons with textures, coins or smaller paperclips work well for the different colored pieces. There's also another adapted set you can buy that is one color that's square shaped and the other round. You can also buy chess and checkerboards with raised and lowered squares that make it easier to feel the different squares on the grid.

To make play a little easier, you can mark your board with rank and file markings. Then, have your opponent announced their move by saying the file and rank of where their piece started and where it moved to. The handout will have more details about this. There are also chess timers that have built in 10 to 20 second intervals of beeps to indicate whose turn it is. You can find them at any game shop or check out the resource section for ideas.

Another good option would be to use an alternative timekeeper, large print timer, voice made alarm on a phone or a countdown clock on your computer. And you know, sometimes the game might get interrupted, but you'll be able to come back to the game in progress if you record the chess moves. You can record moves and take notes using a dark marker and bold lined paper or you can make an audio recording or write notes in braille. Of course, both players can agree to allow extra time so you can feel and study the board as well as take and check your notes and be sure to check out our workshops on taking notes in lighting for more tips as well as the resource section for information on chess groups for people with visual impairments.

As always, if you need more information or you've got your own tips to share, contact a Hadley learning expert. Of course, as with anything new, give yourself time, patience and practice, and you'll get there.