

But to reach that goal, she must grapple with everyday life in one of the world’s most unstable countries. Now a Woman Candidate Master-the first female titled player in her country’s history-Phiona dreams of becoming a Grandmaster, the most elite level in chess. Of these kids, one girl stood out as an immense talent: Phiona.īy the age of eleven Phiona was her country’s junior champion, and at fifteen, the national champion. At first children came for a free bowl of porridge, but many grew to love the game that-like their daily lives-requires persevering against great obstacles. Laying a chessboard in the dirt, Robert began to teach. Katende, a war refugee turned missionary, had an improbable dream: to empower kids in the Katwe slum through chess-a game so foreign there is no word for it in their native language. One day in 2005 while searching for food, nine-year-old Ugandan Phiona Mutesi followed her brother to a dusty veranda where she met Robert Katende. The “astonishing” ( The New York Times Book Review) and “inspirational” ( Shelf Awareness) true story of Phiona Mutesi-a teenage chess prodigy from the slums of Uganda. Now a major motion picture starring Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong ’ o and David Oyelowo, directed by Mira Nair.
