Phiona Mutesi: the “Queen of Katwe” chess prodigy, born in one of the poorest slums of Kampala

The story of Phiona Mutesiknown as the “Queen of Katwe”, demonstrates how determination and talent can emerge even from the most difficult circumstances. Born in 1996 in Katwe, one of the poorest slums in Kampalain Uganda, Phiona lived in extremely difficult conditions.

After the untimely deaths of his father and older sister, his family struggled to survive. At just nine years old, Phiona was forced to drop out of school to help his mother by selling corn on the streets, as they could not afford their school fees.

The turning point in Phiona’s life came when she began dating him Sports Outreach Institutea humanitarian organization that provided free meals to children. Here, Phiona met Robert Katendea missionary who, in addition to teaching football, introduced children to chess.

In a short time she became one of the most promising players in the country

This game, almost unknown in Uganda, became a real passion for Phiona. Attracted by the intelligence and strategy required by the game, Phiona quickly learned the rules and he demonstrated a natural talent. In a short time, she not only surpassed her peers, but became one of the most promising players in the country.

His path to success was not easy. Phiona and her family lived in extreme poverty, without access to basic necessities such as drinking water or sanitation. Despite this, Phiona continued to play and, thanks to the support of Katende and the local community, managed to participate in national and international competitions.

In 2010, at just 14 years old, represented Uganda at the Chess Olympics in Russia. Although she didn’t win, the experience was a turning point, pushing her to continue her path in chess and in life. In 2012, Phiona became the first Ugandan player to achieve the title of FIDE Female Master Candidate.

That same year, her story inspired the book “The Child Queen” by Tim Crothers, which was later adapted into movie “Queen of Katwe” directed by Mira Nair in 2016. The film, starring Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo, chronicles her incredible rise and the transformative power of sport.

After representing Uganda in both the 2014 and 2016 Chess Olympiads, he won a scholarship and began attending university in the United States. As of 2019, he has devoted less time to chess preferring to focus on his studies and about her work as a motivational speaker.