This Jail Is Using Chess To Change Lives (Street Chess Ep.1)

[@DunklerZebralord]

The horse is the deadliest piece - spoken like a true chess player!! That really made me laugh. Very wholesome video.

[@sjajsjsja4523]

In reality though, it's the weakest piece. It's flashy and very useful, but bishops slightly more so and rooks much more so.

[@ouiouimonami8704]

@@sjajsjsja4523 rooks and bishop forks r weaker tho, plus, they are useful in closed games like “Sicilian defence: closed; levenfish var”

[@raccoongamingclan]

As Silman said in his book Reasses your chess : "Knights are the psychopaths of the board" 😃

[@JOBAVALONDONONLY420]

@@sjajsjsja4523 it's much more complicated than that and always depends on the position

[@michaellovinon3467]

He probably loves closed positions then and end games

[@Philson]

They need to do this more often! Chess transcends boundaries!

[@realfishgamingyt8928]

yeah until you lose

[@coreycollins6917]

And what good does it accomplish?

[@realfishgamingyt8928]

@@coreycollins6917 idk makes them think or smth

[@elithemitzu]

@@coreycollins6917 You must be fun.

[@52000rightwing]

As both a public defender and a chess enthusiast, this brings a tear to my eye.

[@samuelgee6463]

Thank you for the work you do. I mean that.

[@charl99ie]

I love that chess is changing its public image from only being a "gentleman's game" to being an activity that everybody can pursue. Chess sets aren't that expensive, and at least most of the beginners' theories can be taught to everybody. At that level there is no intelligence or intellect barrier, it's only about dedication. It can also be a great way to learn how to study and to better your concentration. I have strong ADHD and chess is doing a lot for me. It demands me to calm down and it keeps my mind concentrated for long periods of time. It's also a really fun game, so I'm happy to see it's expansion.

[@checkmate1284]

It makes sense that chess would reduce reoffenders. Most criminals are short-sighted and get easily caught. Anyone who thinks hard enough knows that crime is a bad idea. Chess teaches you to think ahead and always have a plan. Either the criminals realize that crime is not a good strategy or they think far enough ahead to not get caught.

[@iCherrryyt]

Best comment ever CX

[@SkateAwayTheDay]

That’s right now we just have to teach the cops how to play chess just a little bit better so that they can figure out how to stop their plan

[@bensomeone]

@@SkateAwayTheDay what

[@julioaditya5876]

@@bensomeone what

[@SkateAwayTheDay]

@@bensomeone You know the same thing that the other guy said but +1 for the good guy? is that causing your calculator to explode?

[@octopodd]

I love this so much. My dad learned how to play chess through a program in prison (before I was born) and he taught me when I was kind of young. I’ve loved chess ever since. So I think programs like this are super important.

[@Amer1kop]

Hell yeah that’s my jail!

[@OnichanDeez]

Sir warden???

[@IncaWarrior.]

The hell you doing online. Get back to your cell

[@awesome_barabado]

Bruh how did you

[@charasmaticfiend2688]

I played for many years in NYC. Glad I didn't end up in a cell with Bubba and a chess set.

[@OnichanDeez]

@@charasmaticfiend2688 lololol

[@gingerAV]

love this idea for a series. looking forward to more!!

[@MMusic91]

Wow, fantastic video. Its amazing that including a chess program in jails in Brazil lowered the rate of re-offense by ~30%! Absolutely astonishing. Chess rules!

[@shogibyvictortree5028]

I learned to play in Jail. I have told anyone that will listen it changed my life.

[@briandoile5011]

This is how you turn men into Kings! Love this.

[@allstarreject]

I would volunteer at my local jail if they had a chess club.

[@sajeucettefoistunevaspasme]

that's still a jail

[@R4PTORZWIN]

@@sajeucettefoistunevaspasme The jail population is largely stigmatized, even though they are either awaiting trial and haven't been convicted, or are serving light sentences.

[@tysonhabein8655]

as someone who has done volunteer work with local prison and jail populations and also pre release populations, call your local jail and offer to volunteer to form one. It's hugely valuable to the detained and many jails jump at the opportunity for a free or low cost program they can put on their schedule. From a positive standpoint they know it helps and from a cynical stand point it helps them get grants and funding.

[@anonsurfer]

As long as they are not playing blitz or online chess. It tends to bring out the worst in people...especially when you lose on time in a won position.

[@apimpnamedslickback5936]

Love this. Other than working out and reading books this must be one of the best ways to keep your mind healthy in the pit

[@bixcs2]

Hey Chesscom you need to do this way more. Docs like this about how people in all places love chess. love to see it.

[@sadwhitelady2964]

This is so heartwarming to me. As someone who just started a year ago, it is a beautiful game. And to see it transform lives is even cooler.

[@DynastyInferno]

Awesome stuff. Chess transcends every boundary.

[@puzzles4breakfast275]

This is actually kinda gangster

[@tilman0815]

What an amazing idea for a series and this first episode is so interesting an well-made. Looking forward to the next installments.

[@juliobanfi9785]

Dr. Mikhail Korenman's work at Cook County Jail is simply amazing.🙌

[@zjayt]

Thank you for making this. So important to show the human side of those often disregarded by society. Really breaking down negative stereotypes here

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Human side? What is the other side in your mind? A bit hypocritical, don't you think? It is a shame we have so much crime and so many criminals. Maybe we should not have shipped our opportunity, (our factories) to communism, destroyed family values and dumbed down our education at a fastest rate ever over the last 45 years. That is crazy talk though. This problem is impossible to understand. Carry on. You can't blame society until you blamed the philosophies that we followed just yesterday to today, (starting 120 years or so ago. It was called "progress"),---that created our society today.

[@iceYoni]

I learnt how to play chess in jail too! Came across some top level players in there

[@ianmoore5502]

Something about that last girl's statement "im gonna make it through" resonated with my soul. This was a work of art. Thank you so much. Chandler toffa, underrated beast!

[@RandomMoves]

This one will be the best series, in CHESS world.

[@sergiovelasquez2475]

Going to be awesome watching the games!

[@jasondunphy9497]

This video was really well put together. Story, editing, really well done. 👏👏👏

[@Alxvndro]

Very refreshing, one of my primary memories of learning chess as a child remained so profound. Obviously requiring thought and foresight. Good on them here and hope they keep it up. Maybe show schools and hospitals to pickup more chess programs.

[@pigeon_57]

great production. thought provoking. chess. redemption. self-worth. insight. how singular people's lives could impact others in such a positive manner. chess being a common denominator that welcomes all. chess being good medicine.

[@james.sailors11]

The guard was even watching. LOL! It must have been a good game.

[@xyrildanmanuel783]

"you are that king on that board" never really thought of it that way but that's a nice self-esteem boost

[@chessoptics]

Is there some sort of way I can participate in this Documentary I used chess to help me stay sane after doing 22 years in New York State prison and I was also featured on the cover of the 2021 Chessbase Magazine In Article Written by WIM Alexey Root

[@Nikola-hz1rc]

@@danteravenveren1278 If you search his name you get that exact KZbin channel

[@DiscordMistake]

@@danteravenveren1278 yeah he is actually lmao

[@realteamwall]

this premieres the morning i go back to the hospital for chemotherapy ill be missing this premiere for sure

[@Punky233]

Best of luck on the recovery homie ❤️

[@realteamwall]

@@Punky233 hey ill be fine very high chance im done with this by the end of the year and except for the days im sick its honestly a huge benefit for me i have the easiest cancer story youll ever hear

[@Punky233]

@@realteamwall LOL love to hear it man, my buddy had Hodgkins lymphoma and he only had to do a couple months of chemo that wasn't to intense

[@kvnen]

A fantastic documentary! Great work.

[@humanbean3]

i got scholar's mated in jail once. in chess. i haven't played much chess since then lol...

[@BrandonLeeTalks]

Chess made me become a great planner and taught me to become more strategic in life. Not only that since playing it has made me think differently. I think everyone can benefit from chess

[@R4PTORZWIN]

Chess has transferable skills that can help them reintegrate within society, as the game is not only social but based on decision making. There should be more programs like this, because warehousing people, then throwing them back within society without giving them the opportunity to learn new skills isn't useful.

[@andrewliffey]

we want more of these please, this was great.

[@egg.007]

Chess is truly one of the games of all time

[@renzoloyola1146]

I'm from Chicago and I'm so happy this exists!

[@alexdotdash7731]

What you are doing is incredible! Chess teaches in so many ways and rejuvenating this way is just joyous to see.

[@DavidCieszynski]

Very encouraging documentary, and shows that playing Chess can be for everyone. I liked the international tournment think that is a great idea and hopefully it will flurish.

[@mjbee]

Unfortunately, I had to go to jail recently. I started learning chess a couple months prior. While I was in the tank, I took everything I had available - pieces of paper, aluminum foil, etc. - to make pieces. The hard part was seeing the squares, I had to create labels for ranks and files. But honestly, it was a super interesting way to pass the time. I was alone, otherwise I would have just talked to someone else there. But I tried to use that short experience to benefit myself.

[@Patralgan]

If I was ever jailed, but I would be able to play chess with someone; I would be free.

[@brokenselena]

This reminds me of the novella "The royal game" (original "Schachnovelle") by Stefan Zweig. In it a man describes how a chess book he stole from a ward during total isolation imprisoment kept him sane but at the same time drove him into a different kind of insanity.

[@seansartor]

Hats off to NYC for maintaining a culture of Chess

[@InfiniteLemurs]

Really incredible stuff!

[@13aphomet]

This is great!! Love to see this kind of content. 🤘🏼

[@temhirtleague-chess]

I wanna get this started in my country as well.

[@EdiblePlutonium]

6:00 White inmate Cameo (Hand only)

[@zoomlensshow]

Incredible production, great vid

[@GVGames1986]

In an environment where boredom leads to mischief, chess is great. Whilst people are engaged in a game they ain't fighting!

[@pandit7130]

When some chooses to fight on the board instead of the ground, humanity wins

[@zhand3r420]

This deserves more attention

[@AndrewJanusson]

This is a great documentary, thank you!

[@Romancedawn1]

That is really interesting, I heard that in prisons many people play chess even if it isn’t encouraged. Some inmates make really good hand made chess sets that are sold in and out of prisons.

[@Nkanyiso_K]

This is really awesome to see

[@Goku17yen]

Masterful documentary, thanks for the perspective!

[@SkoomaFish]

I used to play a guy that did a 5 year stretch, he was the _loudest_ player I've ever been up against.. talked _so much shit_ *Here I come, this queen's comin in you better stop her OHH you can't she just got that bishop, shoulda backed it up, shit there goes your Knight, I'm takin you apart you can't stop it..* etc in a non-stop but not like trying to fight, just.. rattles the shit outta you lol. He was _fast_ with top moves.

[@dark_magician_sdy]

Are you related to stock fish?

[@mrpotatohead3618]

The tattoo on the thumbnail looks sooo cool. Chess to me when I play is literally a battlefield and I feel like Kira from death note trying to beat someone physiologically. Does anyone else relate or is it just me

[@bigytutoshd5146]

if its online no, but with a board you trully feel like a general

[@soundaholixx]

"What do you mean when? Tomorrow." holy shit the resolve

[@MonkeyDIvan]

God, this was wholesome on a different level.

[@saiyas47]

Love this!

[@larry89]

looking forward to watching the entire series, chess has also changed my life!

[@MagnetManReviews]

I need to get myself in a jail

[@lazuniga23]

Hey, so i Am 99% sure the song that starts at 00:39 is "Feeling" by Ichika Nito. Same melody. might wanna credit the artists who inspire the music too.

[@zCrabOG]

Loved this! Great production.

[@mafebresv]

Glad to see chess can give people new chances in life!

[@carrotboy4610]

Seeing them miss ideas is a little funny, but I need to be here if I go to jail. But this is really awesome.

[@Tocinos]

Wish they'd give them sunlight like a normal human and not in a box 24 hours.

[@MackuL]

Bro I wish all jails had this.

[@Thatotter223]

cool as hell cant believe this was never recommended to me

[@TheChessNeck]

Street chess is a phrase I never thought I would hear haha

[@octopodd]

I’ve heard it before but usually in reference to like playing in the park in New York City and stuff like that. Even though I new jail chess was a thing.

[@terribleteacher]

Excellent initiative.

[@SuperPhantom991]

Total makes sense. No killer would kill again upon getting smothered mate by his inmate XD

[@ShrimpBarbarian]

Congrats Chandler!!!!!!! Great job!!!!!!!

[@briandixon1947]

Hi Kapena! It sounds like you might know the director! I posted this in someone else’s message, but if you could pass it on to Chandler, and maybe he could inform Dr, Mikhael about it!: If you happen to know anyone that knows the guy that runs this. He was saying he wished Chicago had more chess groups for people to go to after being in the jail. Actually, there was a 24 hour Starbucks in Lincoln Park that used to get a lot of players pretty much anytime. It’s just like a quarter mile from the chess pavilion on the lake. I don’t think that Starbucks is still 24 hours but I’m pretty sure people still play there. Usually, when the weather is nice, people play at the outdoor pavilion, and then in the night they’d go to the Starbucks

[@Goodkindchannel]

I enjoyed watching this video! Well done!

[@MF_DOOMer]

It strengthens your foresight so that you don’t find yourself in that predicament again.

[@JTMGJTMG]

Good video. Thanks for that

[@bomb2060]

This is a great idea. I love it.

[@scratchy3861]

This is so good to see

[@UPSCaimIAS2024]

wow, want more of such amazing content about chess.

[@larry89]

4:25 spoken like a true poet

[@gladio2029]

More videos like this

[@KaisarAnvar]

Chess in jail is no joke. It's such an awesome feeling to know that the minds of some criminals, are now transitioning into the minds of intelligence

[@EarthSurferUSA]

I agree that chess is great mind exercise, but it is nothing productive in itself and does not make any body more competitive in anything accept maybe war. What does a GM and a life long prisoner have in common? They will never have a job. They will never start a business, (offering others opportunity as well). They will never create the things that got mankind out of poverty. What is "intelligence" for? Games? Really> Well, every GM and prisoner cold have done better with their lives pretty easily. It is a game that makes you think though. How can we translate that to something useful, like math?

[@deftrooper]

Human being aren't meant to be locked up. This system needs change. But at least they got the discipline of chess in there! Hopefully find some freedom on the board learn to make better moves in life. 💯

[@grey2031]

Great vid, chess is beautiful! 👏👏👏

[@Orether1]

amazing video

[@jupavalos]

Awesome documentary!

[@satisficingmoves2044]

Very nice that chess is changing lives.

[@travistucker4067]

Please keep this up!

[@amelynreyes8141]

"Chess speaks for itself" -hanz

[@user-ic6nm4ol4r]

I wonder what kinda rating good jail chess players are

[@humanbean3]

1200 are gods

[@phen-themoogle7651]

Say a chess grandmaster commits murder or gets into jail, then the rating can be even 2500+ lol But for the average good player it probably depends on how intense they play on average, like if they do nothing but chess they might be 1200-1600 even. And later become hustlers in parks when they get released who knows. Probably depends on the jail too, if there's like a brilliant criminal that (could've became a chess master or GM if they didn't use their brain for crime) teaches everyone then the level might be even higher.

[@celnaz]

~1500

[@nocheapdopamine725]

@3:30 Dude… her name cannot actually be Secret Blackman😂😂she pulled a hilarious fast one on the producers

[@KPpivot]

this is freaking dope

[@Dortchskii]

instantly taken a liking to Blackman. she might have messed up but she got her priorities straight now. Tacos n chess!

[@michikovartanian6224]

So interesting and amazing. I love this idea.

[@DeCamJ]

AWESOME! on so many levels

[@danylaley]

Get these guys tournament sets please.

[@sarahdubois2386]

chess is a game of war without guns. it allows these men to be agrresive - but with their minds.

[@b-rythescienceguy6633]

This is fantastic