Blind chess programme aims for world stage

The blind and visually impaired chess players are set to benefit from a new national programme aimed at promoting inclusivity for people with disabilities.

The Barbados Chess Federation is gearing up to host its first official championship for players with visual disabilities after receiving specialised equipment through the International Chess Federation.

The BCF presented the braille boards on Friday to the National United Society of the Blind (Barbados) in collaboration with the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs.

Chess Federation president Allan Herbert said the specialised equipment was requested after training with blind players began last year.

“One of the things with a person who is blind or has impaired sight, is that the equipment that a fully sighted person would use would be inadequate for them, and we approached the International Chess Federation, and they provided a grant or allowed us to source ten of the specially designed blind sets and five specially designed chess clocks for persons who may have sight problems.”

The equipment allows visually impaired players to move from online training to over-the-board competition, Herbert said.

“The intention of the project was first of all to get us the equipment. Then the acquisition of this equipment would now allow us to start to play what we would call traditional competitions.”

The federation will begin another round of training next month, culminating in the first national championship for visually impaired players.

“So, the training programme, which we are going to be starting next month, to get more members of the community trained, would culminate in training them and then having their first competition, and that would be the first official national championships for persons with visual disabilities.”

He added that the long-term goal is for Barbados to field a team at the International Chess Federation’s World Team Championship for Persons with Disabilities.

“Part of this plan is to start us from this embryonic stage, and maybe within two to four years, the competition is held every two years. We would see Barbados field in its first team at that level, and certainly that’s one of the goals.”

Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Adrian Forde welcomed the initiative, saying it reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring people with disabilities have equal opportunities to participate in all areas of society.

Allan Herbert, President of the Chess Federation and Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Adrian Forde. (Photo Credit: Lourianne Graham)

He said: “We in the ministry have to look at being able to balance our dispensation of our service, so that persons who are in the category of persons living with disabilities will equally have the opportunity to be part of this whole exercise. 

“I am happy to be associated with this project, one which seeks to associate a word that we would like every single person in Barbados to extend as part of their natural inclusivity.”

Forde added:  “We are your partner because we understand that partnership must not only be a word used in an international forum as part of a sustainable development trust, but it must mean something for persons with disabilities.”

The minister also announced his intention to support the staging of an international blind chess tournament here.

“Our mandate must be fulfilled under my watch, of course, and under the offices of this ministry. That is why we are here to ensure that persons who are living with disabilities are given equal opportunities.

“In a not-too-distant future, I want to say to you and to all Barbadians that we will have a blind chess tournament right here in Barbados in support of persons in the community who we know will do well in this type of sport and exercise.”

President of the National United Society of the Blind, Ralbert Ashton, said the initiative would create another avenue for people with disabilities to demonstrate their abilities.

“We have a saying: ‘There’s life after blindness.’ Now, we have so much talent, as persons would have seen, coming out of the Calypso competition, and we have persons who excel in a lot of different areas.”

He continued: “We have persons who have so much to give back to society. They just need the opportunity, and this particular initiative, where the Chess Federation in collaboration with the Social Empowerment Agency and the National United Society of the Blind, is another opportunity for us to promote and advocate for persons with disabilities.”

Former president of the National United Society of the Blind Kerryann Ifill said the organisation had already begun online chess training with the support of the Chess Federation.

Kerryann Ifill, Immediate Past President of the National United Society of the Blind and Ralbert Ashton, President of the National United Society of the Blind play a game of Braille Chess. (Photo Credit: Lourianne Graham)

“The Barbados Chess Federation were very enthusiastic when approached… and when you’re accustomed to people always saying no, we’re not sure how that’s going to work, it’s refreshing to find people that are like, okay, yes, we’re ready for this.”

She also praised chess coach Dirk Austin for volunteering his time to train visually impaired players.

“Dirk had no clue what it meant to interact with blind people playing chess… Dirk stepped up, and he is always available to help us, to encourage us, to push forward.”

Ifill said participants currently train using an accessible online platform designed specifically for blind players.

“When you go to the chess programme, there is a button right there: enable blind mode. Once that’s enabled, you can play against sighted people. They don’t know you’re blind… But you just enjoy the game of chess.”

(LG)