The Cook County Jail is starting a new program, Sheriff Tom Dart announced Monday, and it's not what you think.



"There are many advantages by playing chess," Dart's office said in a statement. "It helps you gain mental clarity and keeps you focused."



Dart announced the new program, to be implemented in Division 11 of the county jail, during a Monday press conference.



He made the announcement with Dr. Mikhail Korenman and Anatoly Karpov, founders of the first chess school in the U.S.



Korenman is a member of the United States Chess Federation Scholastic Council, and Karpov is a world-renowned chess player and world chess champion from 1975-1985, and then again from 1993-1999.

In a statement, the sheriff’s office said it believes chess will teach the inmates "responsibility, planning ahead, patience, problem solving, and learning from past mistakes to name a few."