I did 15 years in prison and I wanted to share with all of you one of my unique experiences with prison chess. Some people say that prisoners are dumb because they are in prison, etc. etc. but do you know that they mastered a way to play chess from behind a locked door by using paper, manilla envelopes and numbering the board from 1 to 64? Talk about being resourceful, huh?!?

If I was in prison chess would probably be one of the few things keeping me sane.  I'd probably study chess books six hours a day (and work out for another six so bad things wouldn't happen to me)!

they didn't just give you chess boards or anything? by the way, I think some prisoners are very clever, they just used their knowledge and intelligence in a different (bad?!) way!

I have spent some time in jail too. Besides chess, Jesus Christ helped me break down those Prison Walls. CHESS IS LIKE FISHING. The world and its problems disapear once the game starts or the fish is on. Rock on brothers and sisters.

Why did they number the board 1-64? For casual play, identifying a square is unnecessary, and for communicating games to others a1-h8 is more universal. Just curious. :)

Believe it or not, the thing that scares most guys in there the most is not what the other prisoners can do to you but instead the lack of family support (first) and what the prison guards do to you (second).

Yes they loaned you chess boards but you had to be in general population; if you were in the Special Housing Unit (SHU), which is where they put you if you get into fights or break the rules, then you weren't allowed to have chess boards and had to create your own.

I came across alot of clever prisoners in there. They have guys in there who can make statues by using bars of soap and water. Also, there are guys who make there fried foods crispy by using rice crispies and corn flakes!!!

I know exactly where you are coming from; I'm glad to see you free. Much respect to you!!!!!

Even though it is more universal, it was alot simpler to call out the numbers 1-64 since the guards tried to limit our talking from cell to cell.

Cripple-Woodchucc> Even though it is more universal, it was alot simpler to call out the numbers 1-64 since the guards tried to limit our talking from cell to cell.

That makes sense, I hadn't thought of that. :)

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     some of the most talented individuals in the states are locked up and

          can be successful in anything they set their minds to.  question is,

          what wil they set their mind to?

A guy named James Schroeder has run a chess in prison program for years.  Here is an address for him I found on the web.  Anyone interested can contact him to learn more: 

James Schroeder

3011 E. 9th St.

Apt. #15
Vancouver, WA 98661