Cellmate Checkmate: New Program Pits Inmates Against Each Other

It takes time to master the strategic battle of chess—and Cook County prisoners have plenty of that to spare.

Sheriff Tom Dart aims to help these crooks, with rooks. By turning their focus to the game of bishops and pawns, Dart hopes they will learn more than how to capture another's king. It's possible the game could promote important psychological and personality traits such as responsibility, patience, problem-solving and learning from past mistakes, Dart said. 

Joined by world champion chess player Anatoly Karpov, Dart recently introduced medium security inmates to the new chess program, pairing them up for intense competition.

“We see it day-in and day-out that people want instant gratification and that often individuals do not think before they act. Thoughtless actions will hurt you while playing chess and hurt you more on the street. Chess teaches people patience and to think before they act," Dart said.  

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