Clive Thabo Dube
Sports Reporter
The Zimbabwe Prisons is endowed with intelligent heads.
This is evident through several inmates who have been participating in Chess tournaments. The prisoners dotted around the country:s prisons are set to compete in the 2nd Intercontinental Chess for Prisoners.
The event will be a two day online tournament that began October 13, 2022 which is the ‘International Day of Education in Prisons.’
The Championship is part of the “Chess for Freedom” Programme and the project is a vital part of The International Chess Federation (FIDE) social initiatives, were the board game is used to educate and empower various groups in the society.
This years tournament will host 85+ teams from 46 countries. Zimbabwe are in group 4 alongside England 2, Bulgaria 3, Greece, Romania, Jersey, Netherlands and Slovenia.
Nhamo Matemamombe and Desmond Marufu retained their spots in the team. While Michael Musaruro, Philip Ngani, Moses Zulu and Jeffery Musaruro will represent the country for the first time.
The first stage will be a Round Robin (RR) event and the two best teams from each group will qualify for the championship stage which will be played on the 14th.
“The competition is at hand and this is a special tournament that demonstrates the power and uniqueness of chess. Imagine inmates from different continents, different countries and backgrounds clashing in a battle of minds. This competition is important in complementing our Chess in Prisons programme which took to all provinces through the ‘Behind the Wall Chess Tournament’ played at Khami Prison Complex in Bulawayo. Chess has social benefits which help towards the rehabilitation of inmates.” said Muchakanakirwa Mkanganwi, Zimbabwe Chess Federation Acting President.
The Zimbabwe Chess Federation (ZCF) working with the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) are doing a commendable job in rehabilitating convicts through this beautiful game that reshapes the brain’s reasoning capacity for the better.
“We are working everyday with the team, polishing up all angles to make sure there are no hiccups during the tournament. The ZPCS IT team has set up the venue and everything is working like clockwork. Challenges faced so far are computer shortages for training with the team relying on 4 Desktops that will be used for the tournament instead of 6. Attires are also needed for the players and officials who are responsible for the team. Also provisions like lunch and refreshments to cater for the team during the competition. For this we are enlisting for support from corporates. We are confident the team will surpass its previous success”, stated the director of Social Chess Cosmas Dongo.
Last year, the ZPCS chess team came second after a defeat to Mongolia by 4.5 – 3.5 points.
In an interview with Zim GBC News, the ZCF Public Relations and marketing Director, Thabo Elisha said:
“Chess can help prisoners to think logically and solve problems, it develops sportsmanship, resilience and it teaches people to plan ahead and take responsibility for their actions, especially when they get released. Chess helps the inmates to relieve the inevitable isolation, and boredom that comes from being locked up for long periods.”
“Last year when we got silver (second place after a defeat to Mongolia), there was a touching statement by one of the prisoners who is sentenced to life in prison. The prisoner said “Now I have something to live for”. It was so heart touching for me. Some prisoners just wait for this opportunity to play chess,” he added.