[billforsternz]

There are many blind chess players. Competitive chess rules allow blind players access to special equipment (basically an auxiliary pegged board) so that they can 'feel' the position. Really strong chess players don't actually need sight of the board and I imagine the best blind players (there are many of master strength) don't make extensive use of this provision.

In the biannual international chess 'olympiads' (team competition between countries) a multi country blind players team competes. Some other disabilities are also represented in the same way.