Axel Smith just obliterated the blindfold simul record books. The Swedish GM crushed a 49-board exhibition with a 41-8 score, grinding through more than 29 hours of play without seeing a single board.
Smith dominated the field. His opponents ranged from club players to titled players, but none of it mattered. The blindfold performance was clinical.
Here's what makes this different from other simul records. Smith ran this event as a fundraiser for climate advocacy. The marathon endurance test served a purpose beyond ego. When asked about the result afterward, Smith made clear that the cause overshadowed the numbers.
A 41-8 blindfold performance across 49 games is staggering. That's 84 percent decisive in Smith's favor. Most blindfold simuls feature opponents within a narrower rating range. This one cast a wide net, yet Smith's score remained brutal.
The 29-hour time commitment reveals something most blindfold exhibitions hide. This wasn't a quick exhibition where a grandmaster makes light work of tactics. Smith had to sustain focus across a full day and night, managing fatigue while keeping 49 positions locked in his head simultaneously.
Smith's unofficial record stands. It may not carry FIDE certification, but the dominance is undeniable. The climate cause got its fundraiser. The chess world got a reminder that blindfold play at this level remains almost inhuman.