It's your move

4 NOVEMBER 2025

In the iconic film The Shawshank Redemption, Andy Dufresne - brought to life by Tim Robbins - spends years patiently carving a chess set from stone, a symbol of hope and strategy behind bars. In Corrective Services NSW centres, inmates don’t need to go to such extremes, chess sets are just a request away.

Chess is more than a pastime. It teaches critical thinking, problem-solving, patience, and the understanding that every action has consequences. Just like the game of life, it pays to think at least one move ahead.

It’s also a universal game. The rules are the same worldwide, so language and cultural differences aren’t a barrier.

“Chess is a popular game in our centres,” says Education Services Coordinator Tom Noiprasit at Macquarie Correctional Centre. “People know the rules enough to play.”

Kings of the board

Last month, Macquarie joined participants from 57 countries in the annual Intercontinental Prison Chess Championship, an online event that hosted 135 teams over three days.

“This is the fifth year we’ve participated,” Tom explains. “This year’s team ranged in age from 25 to 40. Chess is a social activity that many people want to get involved in. We even let them run their own internal competitions.”

Macquarie’s team of six competed across four boards, rotating players each round. As chess wisdom dictates, the strongest player holds board one. While they didn’t make the finals, the team held their own and celebrated a few wins during their five-hour session.

The Championship is played entirely online, with 10 minutes per player plus a five-second increment from move one.

“There is fair rule play,” says Tom. “We have a camera covering the players from behind, which is monitored by team coordinators and officials from the International Chess Federation.”

The game of life

Speaking with International Master Michale Rahal during the live broadcast of the tournament Tom shared deeper insights about chess and education inside correctional centres.

“Different centres have different rules about computers. Most don’t allow internet access, so inmates use books and magazines to study games,” he said. “It helps them talk to one another and practice social skills.”

Tom believes chess is a way to build communication, patience and resilience: “Emotional self-regulation and, in particular, the ability to let go are the main skills chess teaches.”

Checkmate

India claimed the Championship title this year, but for Macquarie’s players, the real win was the experience. They enjoyed every move, every challenge, and are already lining up their opening for next year’s championship. In chess, there’s always another game, and they’re ready to play it.