Chess requires players to read each other's minds and then make their moves. So, those without eyesight can also play, right?

Yes, they can, believes Asha Lata Kendra of Bokaro, a centre for education, training and rehabilitation of visually challenged persons.

The Kendra has invited more than 100 visually challenged chess players from across India for the All India Fide Rating Chess Tournament for Visually Challenged to be held from May 24 to 28.

The event would be held for the first time in Jharkhand, said executive director (finance) of Asha Lata Kendra G.K. Upadhyay.

Visually impaired chess players will feel the different shapes of chess pieces with their fingers to recognise what they are - king, queen, rooks, bishops, knights and pawns.

Also, the black chess pieces will have a pointed attachment at their base to help the visually impaired players distinguish them from the identically shaped white ones.

On the chess board too, the black squares will slightly raised from the white ones so that the players know where they are taking the chess pieces.

Each player will also verbally announce to his or her opponent every move he or she makes. Also, the score sheet will be prepared in Braille or recorded as an audio file.

"Arrangements for the stay of players and officials of All India Chess Federation for the Blind are being made in Asha Lata Kendra itself. So far, chess players from Jharkhand, Bengal, Bihar, Odisha and some southern states have confirmed their participation," Upadhyay said. "We are trying to make the event a grand success."