Uganda Chess Star might Inspire Film
Hi everyone,
Is there a film being planned on Phiona Mutesi - The heroine of the book 'Queen of Katwe' by Tim Crothers? News reports originating from India suggest that Indian director Mira Nair - a resident of Uganda - intends to film Mutesi's story. Nair has made films that have earned critical acclaim - Monsoon Wedding, Kamasutra and The Reluctant Fundamentalist.
Queen of Katwe tells the story of a teenage girl Phiona Mutesi who becomes a chess champion, overcoming the harshest circumstances in the slums of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda. The book itself is based on an award-winning ESPN magazine article by Tim Crothers on the chess prodigy who was one among a group of kids who learnt chess using bottlecaps and a cardboard sheet. Phiona went on to compete at the prestigious Chess Olympiad, and now aims to be a Grandmaster.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Labels: mira nair, phiona mutesi, queen of katwe, tim crothers
Be Chess Inspired: Read the Story of Queen of Katwe
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Phiona Mutesi featured in the book "The Queen of Katwe" is inspiring young chess audiences wherever she goes across the US. Her heart-warming story is also inspiring positive media coverage for the many benefits of chess... in Phiona's case giving her hope that can change reality.
A beautiful feature on CNN this weekend:
She grew up in one of the poorest spots on earth. She couldn't read or write. As a child, she scrounged for food each day for herself, her mother, and her brother. But a chance encounter with a chess coach turned her into a rising international chess star, the subject of a book -- and the protagonist in a future Disney movie. Ugandan teenager Phiona Mutesi is "the ultimate underdog," her biographer says.
Below is the CNN video. You can watch the ESPN video at this link on the Queen of Katwe.
You can read all Chess Blog posts on Phiona here. Don't you want to read Phiona Mutesi's inspiring story/biography? The book is now available as part of a special holiday deal at uschess.org. Click on the photo below to order your copy now.
And, another nice photo!
Don't forget to tell us what you think!
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
Also see her personal blog at
Don't miss Chess Queen™
Labels: Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk, phiona mutesi, queen of katwe, tim crothers
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.
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.
Read more »Labels: Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk, dirk jan ten geuzendam, gary schwab, phiona mutesi, queen of katwe, tim crothers
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