Queen of Katwe

A new Disney film, Queen of Katwe is being released, which tells the true story of a former Ugandan street child, Phiona Mutsei, who became a chess champion thanks to an inspirational teacher. Robert Katende at Agape Church founded the chess club in 2004 as part of a sports outreach program run by local missionaries. Mutesi couldn’t read or write but she has remarkable talent to be able to see moves on the chess board. "What was so captivating for me was her determination to survive, as a young girl, because it’s rare to find in young girls in the slum.” Katende said. After just two years of playing Mutesi won a tournament and was crowned Uganda's junior champion. Three years later she was national champion. In 2012, still just 16 years old, she was made a Woman Candidate Master while competing in her second international Chess Olympiad. Her dream now is to become a Grand Master. She has played in international tournaments from Sudan to Siberia and now her tale of triumph over adversity is on the big screen. "Queen of Katwe" was shown at the Toronto Film Festival in September and has been released in the United States with Britain and Ireland to follow this month. Away from the bright lights of Hollywood, chess has truly turned the family's fortunes around. Mutesi, 20, and her brother are able to pay university fees, while their mother has swapped the family shack in Katwe for a proper home.