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Dubai inmates competed from behind bars to secure 5th place in virtual chess championship
A team of inmates from Dubai Police Central Jail took fifth place at the first online edition of the Asian inmate chess championship. Photo: Dubai Police via The National
A team of inmates from Dubai Police's Correctional and Penal Institutions has earned fifth place in the first-ever Asian Inmate Chess Championship, a virtual tournament overseen by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
The milestone highlights the transformative power of chess as a tool for rehabilitation and reintegration.
The tournament brought together 23 teams from eight countries across Asia. Representing the UAE, Dubai's eight-member team was selected through an intense internal qualifier involving 40 inmates. The selection and training were carried out in collaboration with the Dubai Chess and Culture Club, which provided mentorship and strategic guidance throughout the process.
'The team placed fifth overall, demonstrating a high level of preparation and strategic competence during the final rounds. The outcome reflects the consistency and focus shown by the participants throughout the competition,'
Dubai Police said in a statement
Chess as rehabilitation
Lt. Colonel Muhammad Al Obaidli, Director of the Inmate Education and Training Department at Dubai Police, described the initiative as more than just a competition.
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'This isn't just about winning games, it's about reclaiming focus, discipline, and self-belief,'
he said, emphasising the rehabilitative role of chess in prison programmes.
'Chess is a tool for rehabilitation, helping inmates develop critical thinking and a sense of purpose.'
This initiative is part of a broader correctional strategy launched under the directives of Major General Marwan Abdul Karim Julfar and actively supported by Brigadier Salah BuOsaibah.
It is aimed at equipping inmates with the cognitive, emotional, and behavioural skills required for a productive reintegration into society.
Next move: Defending world champions
Looking ahead, the team is preparing to compete in the 5th Inmate Chess World Cup, scheduled for October. Dubai Police will enter the global stage not only as participants but as defending champions.
Earlier this year, the Dubai inmates' team secured a landmark victory by beating 115 teams from 51 countries at the Inmate Chess World Cup, organised by the Cook County Office in Chicago.
Lt. Col. Al Obaidli confirmed preparations are already underway:
'The department is currently preparing to participate in the fifth Inmate Chess World Cup… where Dubai Police will return as the previous edition's titleholder.'
