popularity of chess in prison

The story of John Healy is fascinating....

http://thequietus.com/articles/08889-john-healy-interview-barbaric-genius-documentary

I went to the Brig after i got back from Iraq and was in there for 8 months. Most people don't know how to play chess and what i found is that the few people that did know chess, would most likely be rated around 500 or 600. So, i switched my time from playing chess to studying chemistry and mathematics books from the library.

I wrote this as a reply to a troll post about a month ago from a member still posting here, claiming to be in prison. Stonio wrote: I did three years in prison on a six year sentence for distribution. I sold 400 pills of ecstasy to an undercover cop. I was a stupid, naive, crazy kid. I was released early for good behavior and completing certain classes. I learned my lesson. That was about five years ago. First off, this guy is full of it. No need to go into why, doesn't matter. I'm just here to talk about chess in prison. I have met some of the best players of my life in prison. it is extremely popular. We would have monthly competitions in our unit sponsored by the facility. The winner would get a candy bar and a soda. We had facility wide competitions on holidays- memorial day, fourth of july, Thanksgiving. Then there was gambling on it. And many just played for fun. I worked as a porter (cleaning showers, sweeping, etc) it didn't pay as well as some other jobs, but I only worked 2-3 hours a day. Every morning I would be up around six, have breakfast, and start work at seven. I would be done with our morning portion of work by nine. Then every day, I would make a pot of coffee, have a danish, pull out the chess board and between 3-5 of us in our unit would play until lunch. It was always a great deal of fun. The books in our library were either remedial, or extremely antiquated. So when any of us had a book sent in by family, it would get passed around like the newest issue of playboy. Now, while for every talented player, there were a dozen patzers. But those of us who took it serious grouped together. You would be suprised at the amount of theory that was discussed. it was not uncommon to witness 10-15 moves of the sicilian while witnessing a serious game. Even more suprising was witnessing an old man who could not read, and didnt know theory arrive, and destroy anyone who challenged him. The older men had their own group. They would sit outside, drink coffee, and play chess all day. Every so often I would be doing real well against the other "serious" players in our unit, and decide to wander over to the old men. Many of these men have spent 30+ years in prison, much of it playing chess. I was able to get a draw (as black though) one time. You should have heard the way I was boasting when I got back to the unit. Now after a couple years of very rarely playing, I'm finally able to play more often. I feel like I've forgotten so much, and miss opportunities. But it is coming back. I'm very glad I was able to play chess while incarcerated. It helped me stay positive, and work my mind. Now do I think there is a Magnus Carlsen in prison? Doubtful. But put your average club player in our yearly competition, and they would have one hell of a time even keeping a winning record.