Blindfold Blunder

On one level I don't find playing blindfold chess too difficult. On another level, that of playing it well, it is a lot more challenging. Occasionally my son and I play against each other without a board while travelling in the car, but I make sure I'm not driving when this happens. Sometimes we even have time to complete a game, although when we replay it on an actual board, what seems to be a significant mental achievement is revealed to be a succession of confused moves and missed opportunities.
At the top level the quality of blindfold chess is significantly higher. However blunders do creep in, although it is often just one big one, rather than a series of little ones. Case in point is this game from the 2012 Mind Sports Games between Mamedyarov and Aronian. Mamedyraov plays the whole game quite aggresively, and is rewarded with a advantageous position. However, in trying to defend a threat from Aronian, he puts his rook on an undefended square, and the game ends in one move. A valuable point for Aronian, who went on to take the Gold Medal in this event.


Mamedyarov,Shakhriyar (2764) - Aronian,Levon (2815) [D94]
SportAccord Blindfold Men Beijing CHN (4.1), 18.12.2012

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. e3 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 dxc4 7. O-O b6 8. e4 Bb7 9. e5 Nd5 10. Bxc4 c5 11. e6 fxe6 12. Ng5 Qd7 13. dxc5 Nxc3 14. Qxd7 Nxd7 15. Bxe6+ Kh8 16. Bxd7 Ne2+ 17. Kh1 Nxc1 18. Raxc1 Bh6 19. h4 bxc5 20. Rxc5 Rf4 21. Rc4 Rxc4 0-1