Chess Federation moves to help tackle crime through Chess

The St Vincent and the Grenadines Chess Federation (SVGCF) has unveiled a multi-pronged approach to get the sport of Chess take root throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines. In addition to its ‘Chess In Schools Programme’ (CISP) which has so far seen a number of primary and secondary school across the country getting donations of Chess sets, the SVGCF said it has donated chess sets to H.M Prisons.

The donation of 20 chess sets made on March, 27, 2025 by Secretary/treasure of the SVGCF, Kazene Pierre, was received by Senior Prison Officer, Kevin Alexander.

The Federation said the aim is to begin a Chess In Prisons Programme (CIPP). The Federation noted in its release that Chess in Prisons has been part of the programming strategy of the international body FIDE, and the St Lucia Chess Federation has successfully implemented one such programme.

The SVGCF said it adopts the position of Jo Adetunji whose research concludes that, “Chess is a cheap and tactical game, and is claimed to develop the part of the brain responsible for planning, judgement and self-control, and even to help prevent dementia”.

Still quoting Adetunji, it added, “It’s no wonder that thousands of prisoners in the UK are now part of chess clubs”.

“Working with people in prison and tackling reoffending is one of the biggest challenges society faces and I’ve long argued that physical activity, sport and games have a unique and important role to play.”

The SVGCF said it joins the international community in the Chess in Prisons Programme with the aim of tackling the reoffending by Vincentians, and to reduce the crimes committed across this country, a position adopted by the International Chess body.

The SVGCF said it fully embraces that “Chess is a game that not only allows the inmates to spend a quality time and socialize in a smart and safe way but also can serve for decreasing such common symptoms like depression, stress, and anxiety.

Developing memory and logical thinking, improving concentration skills and imagination may foster their reintegration after liberation. Chess inspires self-motivation, develops the capacity to for-see consequences and demonstrates the success is a reward of hard work”.

The Federation also anticipates that not only will this move markedly reduce reoffending, but prison inmates will eventually be able to participate in the “Chess for Freedom” global online championship.

” This would also mean that the Ministries of Legal Affairs, Finance, and National Security should consider as part of their budgetary exercise, for at least three computers for the prison facilities at Kingstown and Belle Isle, so by 2026 our prisoners will be active participants in this crime reduction initiative.”