Ugandan chess players leave powerful message

St. John High School chess club members have lunch and play a few rounds with visiting chess champs Phiona Mutesi and Benjamin Mukumbya. Left to right: Guin Richmond, Gabby Root, Jonathon Logan, Mutesi, Jacob Quenzer, Brianna Scott, advisor Roger Beck, Mukumbya and Ethan Steele.

People came from Sandpoint, Idaho, and Spokane to hear Phiona Mutesi and Benjamin Mukumbya speak at Endicott and St. John Friday. Natives of Uganda, the pair changed their lives after being introduced to chess, going from the slums of Africa to full-ride scholarships in western Washington.

“I felt it was a real powerful message,” said Mark Purvine, St. John school principal. He said the pair delivered a strong message which teaches that we as individuals have the power to control our own destinies.

Jamie Misner of Endicott coordinated the visits.

“I thought it went incredibly well,” she said. She noted it is amazing to see how Mutesi and Mukumbya went from having nothing to reach the point they are now.

The couple made it clear to students they were lucky to have things they may take for granted: free education, moms and dads, computers and school materials. They emphasized the importance of respect for parents, teachers and mentors and to respect the wisdom that comes with elders.

Purvine noted when a student asked if the two were related, the reply was yes, they are friends, and told the students how good friends are so important.

Students had a lot of good questions, Misner noted. After speaking to students at St. John, the world-class chess players had lunch and played with the St. John high school chess club and taught them how to record moves.

The story of how Mutesi and Mukumbya rose from the slums of Uganda after discovering chess is portrayed in the movie “The Queen of Katwe.” When asked how accurate the movie was, Mutesi replied it was 98 percent accurate.

The discrepancies were her brother’s accident and the flood were worse than the film portrayed and she does not dance.