Yerwada Prison Team's Gold Medal Triumph Sparks Chess Revolution

The Yerwada Central Prison team, which won gold at the Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners, participated in the 'Chess for Freedom' conference. Organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and IndianOil, the event aims to provide chess training to inmates worldwide and foster their reintegration into society.

The Yerwada Central Prison team, renowned for clinching gold at the Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners by defeating a team from El Salvador, participated in a significant event on Thursday. The occasion was the 'Chess for Freedom' conference, orchestrated by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and IndianOil.

The three-day event commenced inside the prison on June 19 with chess enthusiasts from both FIDE and IndianOil engaging in matches against the prison's decorated chess team. The conference, officials stated, aims to extend chess training to inmates globally and hold competitions to enhance their skills.

'This initiative seeks to instill confidence among inmates by showcasing their talents, paving the way for a dignified life post-release,' expressed an official from the Maharashtra prisons department. Amitabh Gupta, additional director general (prisons), announced plans to form similar chess teams in all Maharashtra prisons, encouraging widespread participation among inmates, including women. The gold medal-winning team members were even granted special remission as a token of encouragement.

The chess program, introduced in Yerwada last year, has led to this international venture within a year, as noted by Gupta. Currently, 200 male and female inmates are learning chess through IndianOil's Parivartan program. The prison accommodates over 6,500 inmates.

Commending the efforts, FIDE's social commission councilor, Mikhail Korenman, remarked, 'We are privileged to start our conference by meeting the winning team.'

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