A Grandmaster Just Won a Tournament While Playing 40 Games Blindfolded

The rules of the exhibition were severe: no board in front of him, 40 opponents in a line, and a clock running on every game at once. Eleven hours later he had won 31, drawn 8 and lost a single rook endgame to a 19-year-old.

Spectators describe the final minutes as theatre: he walked the line once, stopped at board 22, and offered a draw that secured the overall match with a move to spare.

Neuroscientists have asked to study his recall process. He has agreed, on the condition that he is allowed to nap first.

“Eleven hours, 40 simultaneous opponents, one empty board in front of him. The final move drew a standing ovation from rivals.”