The Gift of Chess reaches Seychelles Prison
• Think before making the next move
Most, if not all inmates have earned the status following a bad move, where they did .
The game of chess can be used as an incredible tool for empowerment and opportunity globally. Unfortunately, due to a lack of chess sets, the communities that could benefit the most from chess do not have access to the game. That is why the organisation Gift of Chess celebrated International Chess Day, sharing their commitment to distribute 1,000,000 chess sets globally by 2030. Susan Namangale, the global head of the organisation, tells us about herself and about the plan.
Tony Ballard is a Kansas prison inmate who turned a 25-year sentence into a passion for chess. He used the game to teach other inmates critical-thinking skills, and became the Director of Prison Outreach. Tony partnered with The Gift of Chess, an initiative that is set to distribute one million chess sets all over the world by 2030. To date they have manufactured over 80,000, sending most to African nations. Read this report and prepare to be inspired.
It's a heartening story: a strong chess grandmaster visits a correctional facility to inspire the inmates for the game he excels in. Uzbek American GM Timur Gareyev, holder of the world blindfold record, gave simul displays, blindfold sessions, and even lessons during his visit. Tony Ballard, the Director of Prison Outreach program of The "The Gift of Chess", describes the GM visit and his own rehabilitation with chess guiding his life.