What is International Braille Chess Association?
The '''International Braille Chess Association''' ('''IBCA''') is an organization for [[Blindness|blind]] and [[Visual impairment|visually impaired]] [[chess]] players. The International Braille Chess Association originated unofficially in 1951 with the organization of the first international correspondence chess tournament for blind players, by [[Reginald Walter Bonham]]; the tournament included 20 players representing 10 countries. It first organized a tournament in 1958, with representatives from seven countries. Today, it has grown to encompass over 50 member nations around the world.<sup>[1]</sup> The IBCA hosts two important competitions: the [[Blind Chess Olympiad]] and the Blind World Chess Championship. == Rule modifications == Although most of the rules in blind chess are consistent with basic chess, there are a few modifications to the equipment to help blind and visually impaired players: # All the black squares are raised about 3–4&nbsp;mm above the white squares on the [[chessboard]]. 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 center so that the [[chess piece]]s 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. # All the black pieces have a pin fixed on their heads helping the player distinguish between a white and a black piece. After making every move, each player is required to announce their move aloud to their opponent. Instead of writing the moves on a [[Score sheet (chess)|chess score sheet]], the visually impaired player writes the moves in [[Braille]] or records the moves on a [[tape recorder]]. == Other websites == * {{Official website|name=International Braille Chess Association}} official website [[Category:Chess organizations]] [[Category:Braille]] [[Category:International sports organizations]]