Phiona Mutesi's Remarkable Story: From Uganda Slums to Chess Olympiad!
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Phiona Mutesi - the teenager from the slums of Uganda and her progress as a chess champion is now chronicled in an interesting new book by the sport journalist who first wrote an article about the phenom!
Tim Crothers spotted Phiona Mutesi and knew there was an amazing story there. On one hand is Mutesi's daily struggle for food. On the other is her goal of becoming a “grandmaster” so she could improve her life.
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Phiona Mutesi, the heroine of the book 'Queen of Katwe' with Chess Queen™ Alexandra Kosteniuk and Robert Katende. Photo: Dirk Jan ten Geuzendam
Phiona Mutesi - the teenager from the slums of Uganda and her progress as a chess champion is now chronicled in an interesting new book by the sport journalist who first wrote an article about the phenom!
Tim Crothers spotted Phiona Mutesi and knew there was an amazing story there. On one hand is Mutesi's daily struggle for food. On the other is her goal of becoming a “grandmaster” so she could improve her life.
Tim Crothers, a former Sports Illustrated senior writer who also occasionally writes for The News & Observer and Charlotte Observer, is the author of the recently released 'The Queen of Katwe'. The feature was a National Magazine Award finalist and has been optioned by Disney films. Crothers gave an interesting interview to Senior Sports Editor Gary Schwab of the Charlotte Observer.
Q. The Queen of Katwe developed out of an article you wrote for ESPN The Magazine. Where did the original idea come from?
After a speaking engagement in March of 2010, a man in the audience approached me and said he had a good story idea for me. As a journalist, it’s my job to hear him out. I know that 999 times out of 1,000 that situation leads to a story about his Uncle Ned catching a big fish. But the other time it becomes a book.
Q. What intrigued you about the story of Phiona Mutesi?
What writer doesn’t enjoy writing about the underdog? Phiona is the ultimate underdog. An illiterate Ugandan girl from the slums who dreams of becoming a chess “grandmaster.” You can’t make that up. You don’t have to have a natural passion for Africa or chess to be inspired by what this courageous young girl is accomplishing.
After a speaking engagement in March of 2010, a man in the audience approached me and said he had a good story idea for me. As a journalist, it’s my job to hear him out. I know that 999 times out of 1,000 that situation leads to a story about his Uncle Ned catching a big fish. But the other time it becomes a book.
Q. What intrigued you about the story of Phiona Mutesi?
What writer doesn’t enjoy writing about the underdog? Phiona is the ultimate underdog. An illiterate Ugandan girl from the slums who dreams of becoming a chess “grandmaster.” You can’t make that up. You don’t have to have a natural passion for Africa or chess to be inspired by what this courageous young girl is accomplishing.
Labels: Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk, dirk jan ten geuzendam, gary schwab, phiona mutesi, queen of katwe, tim crothers
posted by Chess Blog Admin @ 11:30 PM
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