Summary
A chess club in the Katwe slums of Uganda's capital, known from the movie Queen of Katwe, continues to train successful players despite facing financial challenges. Run by chess coach Robert Katende, who was portrayed in the 2016 film, the club has helped many children like Phiona Mutesi achieve notable success in chess and life.
Key Facts
- Robert Katende started the chess club in Katwe, a poor area of Kampala, Uganda.
- The club inspired the 2016 Disney film Queen of Katwe, based on Phiona Mutesi's life.
- Phiona Mutesi, a former club member, became a national chess champion and earned the Woman Candidate Master title.
- Katende has run the program for over two decades, introducing more than 4,000 children to chess.
- The club received a $50,000 grant from Disney, allowing expansion to other areas.
- The program now also operates in prisons and slums across several African countries.
- More than 2,500 children and 800 inmates currently participate in the programs.
- Despite the film's lack of profit, Katende continues his work, emphasizing chess as a tool for life lessons.
