The 14th IBCA individual World Chess Championship for Blind and Visually impaired is underway in Cagliari, Italy. 86 participants from 26 countries take part in the tournament. Players placed first, second and third will be awarded respectively with gold, silver and bronze cups and medals. The championship is held in 4 Star Hôtel Califfo, Cagliari, Italy until April 15th 2019.

The tournament is organized by I.B.C.A. (International Braille Chess Association) and A.S.C.I.D. (Italian Blind Chess Association) with the cooperation of the International Fide Organizer Cristina Pernici Rigo (ArcoWorldChess).

Alexey Smirnov (Russia, 2451) and Piotr Dukaczewski (Poland, 2225) are leading after 3 rounds with a perfect score. Check pairings and results.

Visually impaired people play chess on a special board where black squares are raised about 3-4 mm above white; all squares have a hole in the center where a piece can be fixed using a nail at its base. All black pieces have a pin fixed on their heads helping the player distinguish them.