EP 438- Tony Ballard: Chess, Freedom, and Lessons Learned From 26 Years in Prison

Jun 10, 2025

01:10:02

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In this memorable episode of Perpetual Chess, we welcome back Tony Ballard, who spent 26 years incarcerated and credits chess with helping him change the course of his life. When we last spoke in Episode 289 (2022), Tony was still in a minimum-security facility. Now fully free, he’s making the most of his second chance. He’s working full-time at the Paul Mitchell Barber School, has founded a nonprofit—Masters and Mentors—to teach chess to at-risk youth, and has released a powerful memoir, Time Alone: From Isolation to Transformation. The book doesn’t shy away from the trauma and darkness of his past, but ultimately it’s an inspiring story of growth and resilience.

In our conversation, we discussed: – How chess fits into his daily routine – His chess improvement philosophy – The best things about life after prison – Tony’s advice for anyone who feels stuck or overwhelmed

Chatting with Tony is always uplifting—and this conversation is no exception.

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02:00- Has Tony been playing any chess since getting out of prison?

Mentioned: Episode 390 with Russell Makofsky of The Gift of Chess

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2024/7/9/ep-390-russ-makofsky-how-chess-can-change-lives-from-nyc-to-africanbsp

Watch Tony’s interview with Devaughn Croxton of US Chess here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c6OH3NvF6M

06:00- What is Tony’s online chess routine?

Mentioned: Chess Psychology: The Will to Win

15:00- What is Tony’s chess improvement philosophy?

20:00- We discuss chess notation and Tony’s approach to game analysis