This week marks the start of the 4th FIDE Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners, part of FIDE’s Chess for Freedom initiative, which unites incarcerated individuals from over 50 countries competing in a global online chess event. This championship exemplifies FIDE's mission to highlight the transformative power of chess within correctional facilities, promoting self-improvement, and critical thinking.
About the Chess for Freedom Project
The Chess for Freedom initiative, launched in May 2021 in collaboration with FIDE and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office in Chicago, has gained global recognition for its positive impact on prisons. It aims to provide inmates with opportunities for education, social interaction, and personal development through chess.
Through various conferences and events, Chess for Freedom has established itself as a vehicle for bringing attention to the rehabilitative value of chess. The project has grown to include prisons worldwide, with notable events such as the Chess for Freedom Conference in Pune, India, highlighting chess programs' success in correctional facilities across several nations.
Championship Format and Growth
The 4th Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners is the largest edition to date, with over 115 teams from 51 countries competing. This year, the tournament introduces eight new participating countries: Paraguay, Singapore, Eswatini, Lithuania, Namibia, the British Virgin Islands, Iceland, and Kenya.
The tournament features three competition categories:
- Men's Category: 10 groups with 77 teams
- Women's Category: 3 groups with 21 teams
- Youth Category: 3 groups with 17 teams
Participants will engage in online matches over the coming days, hosted on Chess.com, and are grouped according to continents and time zones:
- Asia: 06:00–10:00 CEST
- Europe and Africa: 11:00–15:00 CEST
- Americas: 16:00–20:00 CEST
Follow the action on FIDE’s YouTube channel, where live matches, interviews, and updates will be available throughout the championship. For more information, visit the Chess for Freedom website.
You can follow the first day of action on FIDE YouTube Channel
Let the games begin!
