Mangalore: It was an unusual sight in Mangalore Jail on Sunday as 25 under-trials sat pondering over chessboards, thinking of which move to make next. They were participating in a chess competition held for them by jail authorities and a chess association.

Policemen stood guard at each table and officials kept a watch over them. At the jail’s entrance, the guards looked extra vigilant.

One participant claimed that he devoted three hours to playing chess everyday. He said he had been put behind the bars for violence against the government. Another participant said, “To forget, we must play (chess).”

N.S. Patil, Chief Judicial Magistrate and chief guest, said jail inmates were very much a part of society. He said, “Chess players are intelligent. Don’t stop playing the game.”

Ramesh P. S., Jail Superintendent, said the chess event was “a small step” towards the aim of a jail term, which is not only to give punishment but to reform its inmates.

J. Shriyan, Editor, ‘Issues and Concerns’ magazine, said anybody can improve in today’s world, which was full of possibilities.

The first, second and third prize was bagged by Ravi, Mahesh, and Gopal. Ravi said learning how to play chess was easy and Mahesh said he enjoyed the game. Gopal said he was familiar with the game. Suryakumar and Hamza bagged the fourth and fifth prize. All received certificates for participation.

M. S. Gururaj, president, Karnataka Chess Association and Joint Secretary, All India Chess Federation, to which the former body is affiliated, said, “If other districts and prisoners are prepared, we are ready to give such services to all districts in the State.”

He said the organisation was ready to give “any kind of technical and financial help” to under-trials in chess.

Mr. Gururaj said it was the first time that the 60-year-old association had organised a chess competition in a jail and it was on a suggestion by Mr. Ramesh. The undertrials could be trained further in chess for free after the event.