The 2025 Chess for Freedom Workshop and Continental Chess Championship for Americas, organized by FIDE and Mexico Chess Federation, are scheduled to take place from May 14-18, 2025, in Mexico.
The event will bring together leaders and experts from the continent to share their experiences and strategies for leveraging chess as a powerful tool for rehabilitation in correctional facilities. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to learn from diverse international perspectives.
Guests and speakers of the event:
Dana Reizniece, Deputy Chair of the Management Board
Mikhail Korenman, Chess for Freedom project leader, Council of FIDE Social Commission
Lic. Nahúm Román Mendoza Roldán, General Coordinator of Criminal Enforcement and Social Reintegration as a representative of the federal government
Mr. Mukesh Ranjan Das, Indian Oil Executive Director (HR)
José Carrillo Pujol, President of the Confederation of Chess for Americas
Jose Manuel Barradas, the Mexico Chess Federation
Others CCA’ participants from the Continent – to be registered until May 5.
Attendees will discuss concepts of teaching chess to incarcerated people. Experts will share information about their national initiatives and approaches to teaching chess in prisons.
Topics for workshop:
- Discussion on the impact of chess on inmate behavior
- Use of chess as a positive force for change within the prison system
- How to teach and implement chess programs
- Continental online chess championships
- Internet security for implement chess in correctional institutions
- Overview that can be implemented for individuals in custody
- Brief overview of existing research regarding Chess for Freedom project
- Corporative sponsorship for Chess for Freedom project presented by Indian Oil Executive Director (HR) Mr. Mukesh Ranjan Das
In addition, participants of the workshop will visit the State Prison in Aguascalientes to watch the Continental championship matches for the American continent.
Schedule of the event:
May 14/15 – arrival of the participants.
May 15 – Workshop training session
– FIDE presentation about the Chess for Freedom project
– Mexico presentation about the Chess for Freedom project in Mexico
– Presentations by the invited guests sharing their experience. National Federations from Americas Continent are invited
May 16 – visit to the State Prison in Aguascalientes
In prison: Open dialog with the prison officials how to set up online participation from the prison. How chess program helps inmates. What are the benefits of teaching chess for the prison.
In hotel: Open discussion with all participants on the implementation of the Chess for Freedom program and how to assist new countries to start the project.
May 17 – Free day
May 18 – departure of all participants
To register, please contact Jose Baradas: barraditas@gmail.com
The official hotel for the Chess for Freedom Workshop in Mexico is Hotel del Prado