The 2023 edition of the Father Grimes National Schools Chess Championships is set to get underway this Saturday at St. Mary’s College Kisibu.
Father Grimes is a competition that has been played in Uganda since the 1980s, and it is one that has produced several good players.
Walter Okas, Arthur Ssegwanyi, Patrick Kawuma, Mathias Ssonko, Emojong Elijah, Christine Namaganda and Simon Gonza are some of the products from this competition.
“To see many young children participate in this competition gives me so much joy,” a product of this event Okas noted.
“Future global champions will be birthed from here. Myself and many of the elite chess players in Uganda are products of this event,” Okas added.
Over 60 schools show interest
60 schools plus have showed interest with big guns such as; Kings College Buddo, St. Mary’s College Kisubi and City Parents.
The other schools to watch out for are; Namirembe Parents, Makerere College, Amazima, City Parents, Sir Apollo Kaggwa and Busoga College Mwiri.
Kings College Budo and URDT Kagadi are the defending champions in the boys and girls sections respectively.
The event gets underway on Saturday with the arrival and registration, but one of the activities set to be conducted is the screening of Queen of Katwe.
The chess movie that depicts the life of Phionah Mutesi, a Ugandan chess prodigy will officially open the event that will have eight rounds of play.
By: Rose Agwang
Courtesy Photos
