The Gift of Chess hosts US Chess rated KDOC Championship.

Winfield Correctional Facility Chess Tournament

On Sunday March 12, 2023 The Gift of Chess and Kansas Department of Corrections launched our statewide initiative to provide chess in prisons as a cognitive rehabilitative tool. This event consisted of an Official United States Chess Federation Swiss style rated tournament. The residents of the facility were provided with memberships to the Federation and chess boards.

The Tournament was 4 rounds; 25/5 with 1st-4th place winners. Those winners included Timothy Bejan, Eric Estrada, and Christopher Tkachuck. Although, all were winners at the end of this fantastic event! This was an awesome event where the participants were full of competitive fire! The competition created an academic atmosphere where decision making skills were on display and thinking skills reigned supreme!

I was able to share my testimony of how chess has impacted my life now and during my incarceration. Many of the men at the facility had heard of my life while in prison and my usage of chess as a tool to help transform my life. They were excited to be a part of history as we all embarked upon a mission to expand chess programming throughout the entire Department.  

With the help of KDOC statewide coordinator, Kevin Oneth, Gift of Chess volunteer Michael Purvis and Winfield Correctional Facility Activity specialist the event was a success! 

I am thankful for the support of our donors who made this event possible and continues to support our vision as we aim to expand this initiative throughout the United States Correctional system. We believe that by using this model of 3 phases can also be applied going forward for all facilities.

Tony Ballard - Director of Prison Outreach and Chief TD

prisonoutreach@thegiftofchess.org