Bjarte Leer-Helgesen is a chess coach based in Norway, who served as a trainer at Magnus Carlsen’s initial chess club. He is acquainted with Carlsen’s father, who would bring both of his children to the club. Bjarte observed firsthand how exceptional Carlsen was at the age of eight, and how he developed as a player, improving over weeks rather than months.

As reported by Indian Express, Bjarte also served as a prison chaplain and engaged in chess games with inmates. He remarked, “Chess is the ideal sport for someone in prison because it requires a significant amount of time. And time is the one resource that individuals in prison possess.”

“I have always been deeply interested in chess as a means of connecting with others, whether they are friends or individuals with whom I do not share similar beliefs or political opinions. On the chessboard, we confront each other as equals… I served as a chaplain for a decade, which is a significant aspect of my identity. It was not a conventional church, but I worked with individuals facing challenges in their lives. Similar to the environment in prison,” he elaborated.

When discussing his decision to introduce chess in Norwegian prisons, he stated, “One approach to dismantling barriers was to engage in an activity that I personally found enjoyable. Playing chess with someone unfamiliar and discussing life made it less intimidating for many inmates.”

“In Norwegian prisons, numerous inmates struggled with substance abuse issues. Many believed they were not intelligent due to their school dropouts. However, with chess, some of them — though not all — would find themselves realizing that they could comprehend aspects of this intellectual game. This realization helped enhance their self-esteem. For some, chess became the initial step away from crime and addiction.”

He also disclosed that he conducted chess sessions in Kristiansand prison with inmates in their cells. He began to witness inmates playing against one another. He spent six years at Kristiansand, where he played chess weekly with prisoners.

Read Also: Jitesh Sharma's Folded Hands Can't Stop Cake Chaos with Virat Kohli

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!