A CHECKMATE TO POVERTY: HOW I WON THE GAME

Queen of Katwe, a film starring David Oyelowo and Lupita Nyong'o and directed by Mira Nair, is presented by Disney. It is based on a compelling true story. 

 

SYNOPSIS 

10-year-old international chess champion Phiona Mutesi is the basis for the movie QUEEN OF KATWE Up until the day she meets Robert Katende, a missionary who also coaches the chess team in Phiona's Ugandan neighborhood, Phiona spends her days carrying water and selling maize to support her family. She is mentored by him, and it soon becomes apparent that despite her inability to read or write, she was born to play the game. When there is work to be done, Phiona's mother is hesitant to let her daughter pursue her goals. 

THE REAL STORY BEHIND THE MOVIE 

A chess player from Uganda, Phiona Mutesi was born in 1996. One of the first named female players in Ugandan chess history, she represented Uganda at four Women's Chess Olympiads. A book published in 2012 and a movie titled Queen of Katwe both feature Mutesi. 

Phiona Mutesi at Northwest University.
Photo by Eilís O’Neill for WBUR

 
Despite all odds, her chess achievements enabled her to receive a scholarship to attend Northwest University in the United States. Phiona had never used a computer until she arrived at Northwest. It was a huge task just to finish one homework. By 2019, she was in her second year at Northwest and was a member of their Pan-American Intercollegiate Chess team.