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!!!!!
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I have aphantasia, and I used to think it's a serious handicap in chess, but now I think it just needs a different approach. For example I have a decent verbal memory, so what really helps me with longer calculation is either saying the moves out loud (during training at home), or verbally thinking about them (during actual games), that's how I can keep in mind which squares the pieces are going to be on after X moves.
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.