Our Programs

Big Chair Chess Club is dedicated to using chess as a powerful tool for positive change within prison walls. Chess is more than just a game—it teaches critical thinking, strategic decision-making, and personal development. By offering chess lessons to detainees and returning citizens, we help them build essential life skills in a structured and engaging way. Chess sharpens decision-making, encouraging players to think ahead, evaluate consequences, and make thoughtful choices—skills that directly help detainees improve their judgment and reduce impulsivity. Through fair competition, chess fosters communication, teamwork, and respect. These social skills are crucial for reintegration into society, helping participants build empathy and strengthen their community ties. Participants in our program also learn to set goals, create strategies, and adapt to changing situations. This ability to think critically and plan ahead is essential for reducing recidivism. By developing patience and perseverance, detainees gain the tools to break the cycle of reoffending and work towards a brighter, more productive future. At Big Chair Chess Club, we believe in the transformative power of chess to inspire and equip individuals to lead purpose-driven lives. At Big Chair Chess Club, our vision is to reduce recidivism and help detainees and returning citizens become better by equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing world. Through the strategic and thought-provoking nature of chess, we aim to foster personal growth, accountability, and resilience. Our goal is to transform the mindset of detainees, empowering them to make better decisions, set meaningful goals, and develop the patience and perseverance necessary to overcome challenges. By using chess as a positive cognitive behavioral tool along with bloom taxonomy we envision a future where those who have served time can reintegrate into society with confidence, contributing positively to their communities and breaking the cycle of reoffending.