Accessible World

Chess has been defined many ways but most will agree that it is not merely an idle
amusement but essentially in its essence it is a game, in its form an art, and in
its execution a science. Several very valuable qualities of the mind, useful in the
course of human life, are to be acquired or strengthened by it, so as to become habits,
ready on all occasions. the current form of the game emerged in Southern Europe during
the second half of the 15th century after evolving from similar, much older games
of Indian and Persian Origin dating back somewhere before 600 A.D.. Today, while
chess is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide
in clubs, online, by correspondence, in tournaments and informally, only a limited
number believe that it can be played and enjoyed by individuals who are blind.
Anna Dresner and Alan Dicey will demonstrate to the Tek Talk audience that Whether you're
new to chess or a seasoned player, blindness does not have to stop you from playing,
and playing well. It really is a game that can be played effectively and enjoyed
by those who are totally blind.
IN their presentation, they will describe adaptive chess sets, discuss playing as
a blind person, tell you where to get free lessons, and suggest lots of ways to meet
other players - sighted and blind, from the U.S. and elsewhere - and develop your
skills via e-mail, voice chat, and computer chess programs. So listen in, then grab
a board and join the fun!
Contacts: Woody Anna Dresner, National Braille Press. Email:
adresner@nbp.org
Alan Dicey, President of the U.S. Braille Chess Association. Email:
adicey@bellsouth.net