Cultural and Artistic Reformation Activity - Gomoku competition

To encourage inmates to cultivate healthy leisure interests and enrich their daily lives in the institution, the prison held an “Gomoku Competition for Inmates” on March 10 ^th, 2026. Through this chess competition, the event aimed to enhance inmates’ logical thinking and decision-making abilities, stimulate mental engagement, and improve concentration. By engaging in strategic gameplay, participants were able to cultivate patience, self-discipline, and reflective thinking. Prior to the start of the event, an anti-fraud awareness video produced by the Ministry of Justice was also played. Using clear and easy-to-understand explanations, the video introduced concepts related to fraud awareness, fraud prevention, and anti-fraud efforts to the inmates, aiming to enhance their ability to recognize fraudulent tactics and strengthen overall anti-fraud awareness.

An elderly inmate, A-Zheng (pseudonym), shared that he is already over seventy years old and cannot compete with younger participants in terms of physical strength. However, chess competitions transcend age, allowing players to learn from and challenge one another. Although the rules of Gomoku are simple, the game contains profound insights. The chessboard is much like life itself—each player’s moves reflect a different path and attitude toward life. Some players adopt an aggressive style with fierce attacks, some maintain a steady rhythm with balanced offense and defense, while others carefully deliberate and wait for the right moment to counterattack. He recalled that when he was younger, he was impulsive and often acted rashly. As he has grown older, he has gradually learned to slow down, view the bigger picture, and think carefully about strategy before making each move. The transformation in his playing style, he said, mirrors the deeper understanding he has gained about life over time.

Secretary Yang Jui-Hsing stated that placing a chess piece is much like making decisions in life—each step requires careful consideration. Within the small space of the chessboard lies profound strategic thinking. Playing chess not only provides intellectual enjoyment and helps train logical reasoning and concentration, but also allows participants to calm their minds and cultivate a sound character. In Gomoku, victory is achieved by being the first to connect five pieces in a row during the black-and-white contest. Throughout the process of advancing and defending, players must carefully judge the right moment to act; otherwise, haste may lead to failure. Just like in life, success does not come from rushing blindly forward, but from proceeding steadily and thoughtfully, considering each move before taking action, so as to plan the overall course and create a new and fulfilling life.

A total of 12 inmates, representing different units, participated in the competition. After several exciting matches, the competition concluded smoothly in a relaxed yet slightly tense atmosphere, with champions, runners-up, and third-place winners emerging. Prizes were awarded afterward to encourage the participants. The institution also expressed its hope that all participating inmates would remember that seemingly simple activities often contain valuable lessons about thinking and conduct. Although the rules of Gomoku are not complicated, victory or defeat is often determined within just a few moves. The same applies to life: one should not become arrogant because of temporary success, but instead proceed cautiously and steadily in order to grasp the broader direction of life. Likewise, one should not lose heart due to temporary setbacks; by maintaining calmness and patience, opportunities will eventually arise to turn defense into offense and begin anew.