Does DarkSquares make fading the board feel like real blindfold training before someone trusts it for deeper calculation practice? Happy to send a totally free first-impression video if useful.
Thanks for the question. The board doesn't just fade: it steps down through levels, from full pieces to silhouettes, then plain disks, then a fully blind board where you play by notation or voice. Each level removes one crutch, so you build the visualization gradually instead of jumping straight into the void. The calculation work comes from playing full games against Stockfish and doing puzzles at the blind level, where you have to hold the whole position in your head.
No need for a video, but feel free to try it yourself at darksquares.net.
Thanks for walking through the fade levels. Progressive crutches make a lot of sense for building the mental board. Will try darksquares.net when I want a blindfold session.