Chess classes for convicts in Brazil
By Walter Ferreira Junior
“I want to hear the pealing bells
Of distant churches sing
But most of all please free me
From this aching metal ring
And open out this cage towards the Sun”
Skyline Pigeon, Elton John
A chess teacher, ex-Brazilian college chess champion, ex-champion of the state,
Walter Ferreira Júnior, has been administering chess classes for the
rehabilitating convicts at APAC (Portuguese for "Association for Protection
and Assistance to the Condemned") in Itaúna-MG, Brazil, a project
which was created in early 2011. According to Ferreira “the proposed goals
have been largely achieved. Today we have proper chess books in our library,
while our own pieces and boards are made by the convicts, with plastic and bottle
caps”. He explains that the main idea is that through chess, with its
many advantages, the rehabilitees will be able to develop positive habits and
exercise their capacity for making decisions.

Library of APAC-Itaúna corrective facilities

Chess trainer Walter Ferreira Júnior

Attention and concentration of the students

Training and discipline

Pieces made from bottle caps

Full concentration during the classes

The chess trainer playing against his students
The classes are held in the APAC’s library for the closed and half-open
rehabilitees. The wardens support this kind of activity and encourage the men
to take part in it. APAC-Itaúna is both nationally and internationally
a reference when talking about rehabilitation of convicts. Almost every day
there are people from all over the country and also from other parts of the
world visiting the place, interested about taking the institution’s philosophy
worldwide.
APAC of Itaúna is affiliated to the Prison Fellowship International
(PFI), consultative part of the ONU (Organization of United Nations) for penitentiary
subjects, and to the Brazilian Fraternity for Assistance of the Condemned (FBAC),
an entity that gathers, supervises and supports all APACs in Brazil.
“Turn me loose from your hands
Let me fly to distant lands
Over green fields, trees and mountains
Flowers and forest fountains
Home along the lanes of the skyway”
Skyline Pigeon, Elton John
What is APAC? The Association for Protection and Assistance
to the Condemned is a private rights civil entity, with its own juridical personality,
dedicated to the recovery and social reintegration of those condemned to sentences
without parole. Supported by the Federal Constitution to act inside prisons,
it has its Statute guarded by the Civil Code and by the Penal Execution Law.
APAC operates as an auxiliary entity for the Judiciary and Executive Powers,
executing sentences and administrating them with this kind of alternative work.
Goals: The APAC’s goals are to promote humanization
of the prison system without losing the first objective – to make the
sentenced learn from their mistakes. The proposal is to avoid relapses to crime
and offer alternative ways for the sentenced to recover.
Method: The APAC’s work consists of valorizing human
kindness, offering to the condemned conditions to recover. It also looks, in
a wider perspective, for the protection of the society and promoting justice
and help to the victims.
The main difference between the APAC and the common prison system is that at
APAC, the rehabilitees are co-responsible for their own recovery, and receive
spiritual, medical, psychological and juridical assistance from the city community.
Their discipline and safety are kept with their own cooperation, with volunteers,
employees and managers, without the presence of the police.
They also have professional courses to avoid idleness and learn how to behave.
Methodology is based on a rigid discipline, respect, work and family. Another
difference is in the execution of the sentence is that it forces the condemned
to stay in his own hometown.
First Chess Tournament APAC-Itaúna “Dr. Mário Ottoboni”
The event, which took place on July, had four pre-selected chess players chosen
by the coordinator and referee Walter Ferreira, against four rehabilitees from
APAC. The Schuring System was used, and Humberto Lima finished with 7.0 points
from 7 games. The second and third places were decided by using the Amargeddon
6-5 tiebreak system. The current champion of the city was placed second.
Tournament table
Participants |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
Pts |
D1 |
D2 |
D3 |
Place |
1. Arthur Moreira |
-- |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3º |
2. Convict Higor |
0 |
-- |
0 |
0 |
½ |
0 |
0 |
0 |
½ |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7º/8º |
3. Convict Glauber |
0 |
1 |
-- |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
5º |
4. Humberto Lima |
1 |
1 |
1 |
-- |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
- |
- |
- |
1º |
5. Convict José Márcio |
0 |
½ |
0 |
0 |
-- |
0 |
0 |
0 |
½ |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7º/8º |
6. Lucas Teixeira |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
-- |
1 |
1 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
4º |
7. Márcio Lunardy |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
-- |
1 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2º |
8. Convict Itamar |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
-- |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
6º |

The tournament under way, with city champion Márcio Lunardy in the
foreground

The tournament champion Humberto Lima in action

In the background the administrative managers of APAC approve
Lecture and simultaneous games with Osmar Miranda
 |
In October an amazing teacher and chess player was at APAC-Itaúna,
where he held a lecture about “The Benefits of Chess for Life when
a Looking Forward to the Future”. He also 20 members of the audience
the chance to play against him in a simultaneous exhibition. He won 16
games, drawing 3 and losing one (to a Walter Ferreira’s student).
Osmar Miranda Silva Júnior is a psychologist with degrees in educational
psychology from the PUC (Catholic University of Minas Gerais). He is also
Brazilian Children's Chess Champion, Brazilian College Chess Champion
and Vice-champion of the State of Minas Gerais. He is nowadays in eighth
place in the Chess Federation of Minas Gerais raking. |

Osmar Miranda touched on the following subjects in his lecture:
First, chess must be taught as a healthy, sporting activity, exercising the
brain. it is an instrument for social inclusion and pedagogical tool. Chess
is
-
Sport
T he second most practiced sport in the world
There are competitions for all levels and ages
Chess is recognised as an Olympic sport by National and International Committees
-
A healthy activity
A game that delivers complete "immersion" in the world of pieces
and boards
Integrates families, approaching children, parents and siblings
You can enjoy it at very low costs
-
Exercises the brain
It is considered by experts in neurology, psychology and related sciences
as the best of all exercises for the brain
Chess develops logical and mathematical thinking, concentration, planning
ability, memory, methodology of scientific thinking, self-control, abstract
reasoning, decision making, etc.
Chess players, even at an advanced age (over 75 years), retain the clarity
factor, since the game prevents degenerative diseases of the mind.
-
An instrument for social inclusion
Players, by studying chess, realize that study can be a pleasure
It forms a series of positive character traits, such as humility, patience,
perseverance, discipline
It creates an aesthetic perception of the game – understanding chess
as an art
-
A pedagogical tool
Chess as a factor in increased self-esteem
Chess as a possible career
Chess as a possibility of pleasure in the midst of pain
The chess as job prospects and incoming chances
Chess is a sport, exercise for the brain, an instrument for social integration...

The audience at the penitentiary is enthralled

A blitz game between Osmar Miranda and trainer Walter Ferreira

A simultaneous exhibition in the prison library

Inmates showing full concentration

Budding young players in the prison environment

In the end Osmar Miranda won 16 games, drew three and lost one
Relevant links
About the Author

Walter Ferreira Junior was born in Itaúna, in the State of Minas Gerais,
Brazil, on February 16, 1958. Currently he is preparing to take part in the
World Amateur Chess Tournament in Greece, April 2012, maintaining a constant
training and practicing on the Playchess
server, in which he uses the nickname “Metamorfose” and has
collected 568 applauses.

Walter Ferreira is a member of FIDE and has been to various events in Brazil
and abroad:
- Absolute Chess Champion of the State of Minas Gerais, 1980
- Brazilian College Chess Champion, 1980
- Former Assistant Referee of the Brazilian Confederation of Chess
- Instructor certified in Chess Federation of the State of Minas Gerais since
1989
- Vice-President of the Chess Federation of the State of Minas Gerais 1992/1993
Biennium
Three games by Walter Ferreira
Contact: genesisxadrez@hotmail.com
/ waltercomut@yahoo.com.br
Copyright
Ferreira/ChessBase