Inside Chess
Light the beacons and ring the bells. History has been made in prison chess! I can confirm that the HMP ISIS team (England) has won the gold medal in the European online prisons championships and is already preparing for October’s FIDE World Online Prison Championships. There were seven rounds and what made this result all the more stunning is that they could not play the first three rounds because of Internet connection issues. This is an outstanding result and testament to the commitment and skills of the prisoners, organisers and prisons officials. Please don’t write asking why you did not play – I don’t organise this event and there are not enough resources to cover over 100 prisons in England but I wanted to share this incredible news with you. The English Chess Federation and the charity Chess in Schools and communities work with chess in prisons doing many things – from lectures and coaching to simultaneous displays and managing competitions. Many staff are volunteers. Chess has never been so active or popular in prisons so keep doing what you are doing. If you wish to invite me into your prison then please get your governor or any officer/staff member to contact me.
This month’s puzzle shows White to play and checkmate Black (who is threatening to checkmate White in one move) in three moves. Can you solve it?
Write to me with your answer, Carl Portman, (Chess Correspondent), C/O Inside Time ‘CHESS’, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton SO30 2GB. Also, please include your name, prison number, your prison address, and the month of the puzzle (question) you are entering. The first correct answer drawn wins a back issue of ‘Chess Magazine’ donated by the Chess & Bridge shop, London.
The answer to June’s puzzle was 1.Ba7-b8! Ke5-e4 2.Qc7-e5 checkmate. If 1…Kd5-d4 then 2.Qc7-e5 checkmate and finally, if 1…Kd5-e6 then 2.Qc7-f7 is checkmate. The winner will be announced.
The winner for May is Allan from HMP Wakefield!
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