Building the Future of Chess for the Visually Impaired

My role - Product Designer

+18%

increase in perceived usefulness with haptic feedback

Up to 90%

user satisfaction when using enhanced tools for navigation and interaction

88–94%

accuracy in recognizing haptic Braille and tactile patterns

Did you know?

While many visually impaired individuals play the game with remarkable skill, they still face major challenges due to a lack of accessible, real-time feedback. These include difficulties in move recording, tracking time, understanding board state, and navigating complex mid- to end-game positions.

Currently, visually impaired players use tactile boards, announce each move aloud, and either record moves using tape recorders or write in Braille. They struggle with:

Tracking time during gameplay
Memorizing past moves
Disrupted flow due to manual move announcements
Limited access to digital chess resources
Inability to see opponent reactions or the visual layout of the board

PERSONAS

Nick Miller

Blind Chess player

“I often lose track of where the opponent’s pieces moved.”

Jessica Day

Partially Impaired chess player

“Writing down moves is too slow. It breaks my focus.”

Winston Schmidt

Visually Impaired chess player

“Current tools work, but they were built decades ago. It’s time for an upgrade.”

Research

To conduct primary research, our team explored a range of real-world sources - watching documentaries, reading articles, and viewing YouTube interviews with visually impaired chess players. These firsthand accounts helped us understand the daily challenges they face, including difficulties in move tracking, time management, and independent gameplay.

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

The Problem

While FIDE (the international chess federation) has set supplementary rules for visually impaired players—including tactile boards and assistants—these solutions are outdated and limited.

Manually remembering moves lead to mistakes

Players rely on assistants for confirmation

Multiple steps create cognitive load and distraction

Difficulty managing time or recalling past moves

Lack of real-time feedback creates uncertainty and breaks strategic flow

Tactile interaction disrupts flow and concentration

Proposed MVP

We designed an intuitive, accessible chess system to empower visually impaired players with greater independence. The solution integrates:

Motion detection to track moves accurately
Voice commands for announcing, confirming, and requesting info
Vibration alerts for time warnings and board feedback
Dual boards so each player can interact without disruption
Real-time audio feedback to reduce reliance on memory
Custom controllers for smooth, hands-on interaction

The prototype features a motion-sensor-enabled board, automatic move announcements, voice-activated commands, digital move tracking via an app, and always-accessible timers through voice or screen.

Conclusion

WHY THE PROJECT MATTERS TO ME?

I’ve played chess since I was 10. When I tried playing blindfolded during this project, I quickly realized how dependent I was on visual cues. It was a humbling experience that deepened my understanding of the barriers visually impaired players face. This project wasn't just about building a tool, it was about designing dignity, independence, and inclusion into one of the world’s oldest games.