AS the date draws near, anticipation for the Commissioner General’s Behind the Wall Chess Tournament swells.
This year, the grand event is set to take place at the Khami Prison Complex in Bulawayo on June 10-11. It is a tournament rooted in a noble cause to create transformative change through the game of chess.
The Behind the Wall Chess Tournament, introduced in 2019, is a flagship initiative of the Zimbabwe Chess Federation (ZCF) and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS). The tournament has gained remarkable traction over four years, becoming a crucial feature of both organisations’ annual calendars.
Riding under the noble theme “Transforming lives through Chess,” this initiative is closely tied to ZCF’s Social Chess Commission. It takes its inspiration from the International Chess Federation’s (FIDE) Social Chess Commission. The tournament is a powerful testament to the universal appeal of chess, reaching out to society’s less privileged and empowering them to realise their full potential.
The ZPCS has been instrumental in ensuring the success of this unique project. The Prison Service recognises the rehabilitative power of chess for inmates, offering them a means to develop mental discipline, decision-making skills, and personal responsibility. The tournament not only serves to improve these essential life skills but also helps inmates feel connected and valued as integral members of society.
The scale of the Behind the Wall Chess Tournament has grown yearly. Originally a regional event, the tournament went national in 2022, with 169 participants from all over Zimbabwe. These included ZPCS Officers, civilians, and inmates from all the country’s 10 provinces. Moreover, it marked a historic first when 28 female inmates joined the competition, signifying a crucial step towards inclusivity in the game.
This year, the tournament is slated to be even more competitive. More than 30 professional chess players have registered, promising an explosive showdown alongside inmates and ZPCS Officers over the checkered board. Defending champions Tapiwa Jele and Charlene Mguni are set to return, facing stiff competition from ZPCS Officers like Cyril Chigodo, who have set their sights on the crown.
The tournament has significantly boosted Zimbabwe’s global chess reputation. In 2021, Zimbabwe made it to the finals of the First FIDE Online Chess Championships for Prisoners, proudly representing the African continent. The country finished fourth but strives to secure the top spot in future editions while fielding its first all-female team.
This year’s event has garnered support from corporate sponsors such as Minerva Risk Advisors, who provided 92 standard chess sets, and Mesianich Family Centre International, who have offered an assortment of hampers and T-shirts for inmates. Still, ZCF and ZPCS continue to seek partners to sustain and grow this transformative initiative annually or biennially.
With the grand event nearing, the excitement is tangible as the country looks forward to another thrilling episode of the Behind the Wall Chess Tournament. From a sporting and a societal perspective, the Commissioner General’s Behind the Wall Chess Tournament has become a genuinely unmissable event on Zimbabwe’s annual calendar.
