Axel Smith’s 49-Board Blindfold Simul: A Chess Marathon for Climate Awareness

Swedish Grandmaster Axel Smith Completes 49-Board Blindfold Simul for Climate Awareness

Lund, Sweden – In a remarkable display of mental prowess, Grandmaster Axel Smith completed a grueling 49-board blindfold simultaneous exhibition over the weekend, taking more than 29 hours to finish. While his impressive score of 41 wins, 8 draws, and just 2 losses showcased his chess mastery, Smith emphasized that the event’s true purpose was to raise awareness about climate issues, particularly fossil peat extraction in Sweden.

The marathon event, which began Friday and concluded Saturday, was held in Lund and streamed live on Chess.com. Smith’s performance was not just a personal challenge; it aimed to shine a light on pressing environmental concerns. “The aim was not the record; it was to raise attention in Sweden about fossil peat mining,” Smith stated, underscoring the event’s significance beyond the chessboard.

Despite the demanding nature of the simul, Smith found the experience surprisingly manageable. “Focusing only on chess, I didn’t notice the time passing. It felt like the simul only lasted for a few hours,” he remarked, adding, “Now I feel a bit dizzy, but actually not very tired.”

The event featured a mix of opponents, including notable names like Swedish chess legend GM Ulf Andersson, who offered a draw after just 13 moves. Smith also faced IM Isak Storme, who fell into a trap against the blindfolded grandmaster. While most of his opponents were lower-rated players, the diversity of challenges kept the event engaging.

As the night wore on, some participants took breaks, with staff stepping in to make moves for those who dozed off. Smith’s wife, WFM Ellinor Frisk, assisted with the online games but found herself nodding off multiple times during the marathon session.

In the end, Smith’s performance was a testament to his skill and endurance. He made an astounding 2,315 moves across all games, relying on a unique mental imagery system to track each board’s position. “The memory system worked well, and the organizers did a splendid job,” he noted.

Though the event may not be officially recognized as a world record—due to the breaks taken by some opponents—Smith and the organizers from Olydig Folkomröstning (Disobedient Referendum) were unfazed. “It doesn’t matter to us in the slightest,” said Helen Wahlgren from the organization. “The aim was to raise awareness for fossil peat extraction in Sweden.”

Smith also took a moment to downplay comparisons to GM Timur Gareyev’s 48-board blindfold simul record from 2016. “I had weaker opponents, and some draws were less played-out,” he explained, emphasizing that his focus was on the cause rather than the competition.

As the event concluded, Smith expressed satisfaction with the outcome. “I am glad that chess was able to make a small contribution to the Disobedient Referendum,” he said, highlighting the intersection of sport and social responsibility.

In a world where climate issues often take a backseat, Smith’s extraordinary feat serves as a reminder of the power of awareness and the role that even a game of chess can play in advocating for change.