El Salvador has achieved an extraordinary milestone in the 2025 Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners, earning gold and silver medals through the rehabilitation initiative Plan Cero Ocio.

The El Salvador women’s chess team secured the gold medal, proudly taking first place worldwide, while the men’s team earned the silver medal, positioning El Salvador among the top two nations in this global competition.

This achievement was made possible thanks to the coordinated efforts of the General Directorate of Penal Centers, led by Osiris Luna Meza, and the continuous support of the National Institute of Sports of El Salvador (INDES) and its president, Yamil Bukele. Their joint vision promotes sports as a tool for rehabilitation and social reintegration within the penitentiary system.

The competition, organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) in collaboration with the Salvadoran Chess Federation, highlights El Salvador’s growing international presence in both sports and social transformation.

With these historic victories, El Salvador reaffirms its commitment to offering second chances through education, discipline, and the power of the mind. ♟️