Chess Behind Bars by Carl Portman (hardcover)

This Chess Behind Bars by Carl Portman is an English-language hardcover chess book that looks at the game through the lens of prison education and rehabilitation. It combines chess instruction with a wider social perspective, showing how chess can support discipline, patience and reflection.

What this book covers

Carl Portman presents chess as a practical tool for learning and constructive use of time. In the prison setting, the game becomes more than entertainment: it can help build discipline, encourage players to think ahead and support better decision-making. The book also explores how chess can influence the way people think and offer a chance for a fresh start.

It is written to be informative and engaging regardless of the reader’s background. The book offers a broad view of chess from the inside, moving from the rules and history of the game to puzzles, famous games and tips for improving your play.

Inside the book

Chess Behind Bars covers a wide range of chess topics, making it relevant both to beginners and to readers interested in the educational and social side of the game. It will also appeal to trainers, volunteers, teachers, prison staff and anyone who wants to see chess from a broader perspective than the result of a single game.

Reviewers also describe it as a sturdy hardback of over 300 pages, with the last 250 pages especially useful for novice chess players and teachers.

• Author: Carl Portman
• Language: English
• Binding: hardcover
• Page count: 312
• Publication date: 2 August 2017
• ISBN: 978-1-78483-032-8
• Subject: chess in prisons and rehabilitation
• Content scope: rules, chess history, puzzles, famous games and improvement tips