Blackburne's Blindfold Bonanza
1863 - Solved 28🧩 Times
In a warm, grandiose dining hall far away from the rumbling and bellowing of the mills and the foundries, an exciting event was taking place.
The year was 1863, and Joseph Henry Blackburne was hosting a thrilling chess exhibition in his home city of Manchester. Joseph had been making a serious name for himself of late, for his daring events where he would challenge several players at the same time, blindfolded.
As the last few spectators arrived, the clink of shillings exchanging hands interwove with the hum of the eager onlookers taking their seats, the stage was set for a dazzling game of chess.
Welcome to: Blackburne's Blindfold Bonanza
Blackburne, slouched in the armchair on the left.
Joseph Henry Blackburne was a Victorian British chess player, who popularised the game with simultaneous and blindfolded displays around the country. When he was 17 years old, after hearing the stories of Paul Morphy’s legendary exploits, Joseph decided to learn chess. Just 3 years after he started learning, Joseph became the best player in Manchester and through his 55 year love affair with the game, he won many titles including the British championship which he won in 1914 at the age of 72.
This game is a fantastic example of Joseph’s flourishing tactical creativity.
Can you find the checkmate, as Blackburne did in 1863?
a
8
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
8
7
7
6
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
a
1
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
1
SOLVED
a
8
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
8
7
7
6
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
a
1
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
1
SOLVED
Analysis