Prisons and chess

Last updated on 8/1/07 5:57 AM.
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In 1960 Bobby Fischer gave a simultaneous exhibition at Rikers Island prison. He defeated all 20 prisoners while 2,400 inmates watched the exhibition and the prison band played. In 1971 a prisoner failed to return to Western Penitentiary from a chess match at Carnegie-Mellon University. A week later a second prisoner escaped after a chess tournament. The warden remarked, "I'm afraid we won't be invited back to the university if this keeps up." In 1972 Claude Bloodgood escaped from prison after being escorted to a chess tournament. He was captured a few weeks later.

Comments

5 years ago · Quote · #1
chessfanforlife

lol.............
5 years ago · Quote · #2
Hawkinspal

cool...
5 years ago · Quote · #3
hazeleyes

so what was the prison guard doing playing chess while the prisoner ran.Good job guard heres a doughnut.
4 years ago · Quote · #4
Gwyllem

any prisoners on this site?
3 years ago · Quote · #5
chsskrazy

so, if inmates settled their differences over the chess board,there might be less violence in prisons?
3 years ago · Quote · #6
fay72

Chess boxin!
3 years ago · Quote · #7
rouxkey

nice
3 years ago · Quote · #8
DENVERHIGH

The people that ran that prison were idiots. You don't excort prisoners somewhere to play chess. They have to play all their games at home, and the challengers come to the prison.

                Here is my post of:

            My Time at San Quentin Prison.

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/my-time-at-san-quentin-prison

                       Hope that you like it.

                                  Denver
17 months ago · Quote · #9
bambam101

I PLAYED ALOT IN JAIL BUT
12 months ago · Quote · #10
gambinosKING

Jail is a breeding ground for chess players. They play for hours on end.
5 weeks ago · Quote · #11
December_TwentyNine

chsskrazy wrote:

so, if inmates settled their differences over the chess board,there might be less violence in prisons?

Instead of "rock paper scissors" we should have a chess match for every argument. While we're at it, throw in some drinks too. Might get thirsty while settling a dispute, you know...especially if the game goes on for 2 hours or more. All draws and stalemates are subject to rematch; with players switching colors. By the time the game is over, everyone will forget what caused the argument before the game started!!