Welcome to the official IBCA website

FIDE (Federation internationale des échecs) is the supreme body for chess amongst the sighted. Similarly, the International Braille Chess Association (IBCA) is the supreme body of chess for the blind and visually impaired and is in turn affiliated to FIDE.

Rest in peace Dr. Jorgen Magnusson (President IBCA)

Dear IBCA Members,

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our President, Dr. Jorgen Magnusson, who left us after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Dr. Magnusson was not only a devoted leader of the International Braille Chess Association, but also a man of vision, integrity, and deep commitment to the global chess community-especially to players who are blind and visually impaired. His tireless efforts significantly advanced the mission of IBCA and strengthened its presence around the world.

Under his leadership, our organization grew not only in structure, but in spirit. He believed in unity, inclusion, and the transformative power of chess. His legacy will remain with us in every initiative we continue and every player we support.Read More

Online Chess Tournaments for Visually Impaired

Disclaimer : The table below informs about online chess tournaments for visually impaired chess players. They are not run by IBCA, but are important for many of our players.

How Visually Impaired Play Chess ?

 

The Chess Board of 64 squares has the following modifications:

  • All the Black squares are raised about 3-4 mm above the white squares. By feeling the squares, the player is able to determine whether the square is a black or a white one.
  • Each of the squares on the Board has a hole in the centre so that the pieces can be fixed in these holes.
  • Each of the pieces has a downward projection (nail) at the base, which fits into the hole in the squares on the Board, thereby fixing the piece securely on the board.
2023 IBCA European Team Chess Championship Closing Ceremony Highlights, Genova Italy (Copyright (C) Fabio Rosetto)
Poland wins IX IBCA World Team Chess Championship
Top Teams
  1. Olympiad Champion Russia
  2. Poland
  3. Serbia
Top Individual Players
  1. World Champion Nikac Predrag, Montenegro
  2. Alexey Smirnov, Russia
  3. GM Marcin Tazbir, Poland
Top Women Players
  1. World Champion WIM Lubov Zsiltzova-Lisenko, Ukraine
  2. FM Teresa Debowska, Poland
  3. WCM Anna Stolarczyk, Poland
Top Junior Players
  1. World Champion Adam Czajkowski, Poland
  2. Soundarya Kuma Pradhan , India
  3. CM Mirko Eichstadt, Germany
Accessible YouTube Channels

Here we send links to YouTube Channels that are accessible, no matter you are sighted or not. We hope that the list of such channels will grow by time.

Member Countries