A great chess story of a Ugandan girl chess champ:

http://edition.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_c4#/video/bestoftv/2012/12/09/exp-ugandan-chess-prodigy.cnn

This is a great story!

"PHIONA MUTESI IS the ultimate underdog. To be African is to be an underdog in the world. To be Ugandan is to be an underdog in Africa. To be from Katwe is to be an underdog in Uganda. And finally, to be female is to be an underdog in Katwe."

Originally posted by tonytiger41
"PHIONA MUTESI IS the ultimate underdog. To be African is to be an underdog in the world. To be Ugandan is to be an underdog in Africa. To be from Katwe is to be an underdog in Uganda. And finally, to be female is to be an underdog in Katwe."

Thats enough underdogs.

Her chess is better than it was at the last olympiad, when she was little more than a beginner, but she's still a very weak player and I don't really see how building her up to be anything else is going to help her.

Calling her a "chess prodigy" or a "player to watch" isn't really accurate. Some editors have the bad habit of exaggerating a perfectly fine story for the sake of a better headline.

I think this is the most appropriate piece on that subject:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/18/ugandan-phiona-mutesi-chess-player

"Phiona's present playing standard is that of a modest but competent club player but, placed in the context of her environmental and educational deprivation, her achievement in reaching such a level has been awe-inspiring."

If you are a club player from a wealthy country, breaking 1600 is nothing to write home about. You have all the resources necessary to do so. No one will give you a pat in the back for that.

If you are a poor girl from Uganda and you break 1600, your story is extraordinary. You deserve a medal, a book and a Disney movie about you. It's all fine, as long as you make sure that no clueless journalist calls you a chess genius.

Originally posted by danilop
Calling her a "chess prodigy" or a "player to watch" isn't really accurate. Some editors have the bad habit of exaggerating a perfectly fine story for the sake of a better headline.

I think this is the most appropriate piece on that subject:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/18/ugandan-phiona-mutesi-chess-player

"Phiona's present playing sta ...[text shortened]... ll fine, as long as you make sure that no clueless journalist calls you a chess genius.

Yeah, When I broke 1600 nobody gave a crap. Now that I am back under 1600 nobody still gives a crap.

Originally posted by RJHinds
Yeah, When I broke 1600 nobody gave a crap. Now that I am back under 1600 nobody still gives a crap.

Perhaps this was said in jest, still your constant craving for attention is quite sad. This thread is about a Ugandan girl chess player and your self-serving remark has no place in it. Don't be surprised then that most posters dislike you...

The irony is that you may not be a bad person but - what comes out is pretty annoying and inane most times.

You seem to be a lonely person with a paranoid need to be recognized (that would explain your alleged use of an engine). But you're not achieving it, you're hurting yourself, psychologically.

Originally posted by Fat Lady
Her chess is better than it was at the last olympiad, when she was little more than a beginner, but she's still a very weak player and I don't really see how building her up to be anything else is going to help her.

Well I wouldn't mind having a 2000+ FIDE rating. Besides, she is only 16 NOW. She will undoubtedly get higher class coaches now with that publicity.

I wouldn't be surprised if she kicked YOUR butt.

Originally posted by sonhouse
Well I wouldn't mind having a 2000+ FIDE rating. Besides, she is only 16 NOW. She will undoubtedly get higher class coaches now with that publicity.

I wouldn't be surprised if she kicked YOUR butt.

Unless I'm missing something, her FIDE rating is just less than 1700:
http://ratings.fide.com/card.phtml?event=10000399
which seems about right, judging by her recent games. Also, her estimated age is 19, not 16.

She certainly wouldn't kick my butt in a chess match, I am a far stronger player than her. But that's beside the point, apparently she's one of the best female players of her country, whereas I am not even in the top 200 male players in mine.

What worries me is that she may be deluded into thinking that chess is going to improve her position in life. There are thousands of women stronger than her in the world, how can she possibly make a living as a chess professional? Maybe she could become a chess coach, but I can't imagine there's much call for that in Uganda, unless it's sponsored by the government.

Originally posted by Fat Lady
Unless I'm missing something, her FIDE rating is just less than 1700:
http://ratings.fide.com/card.phtml?event=10000399
which seems about right, judging by her recent games. Also, her estimated age is 19, not 16.

She certainly wouldn't kick my butt in a chess match, I am a far stronger player than her. But that's beside the point, apparently she's one ...[text shortened]... 't imagine there's much call for that in Uganda, unless it's sponsored by the government.

Who gives a crap?

Originally posted by RJHinds
Who gives a crap?

I don't know who gives it, but you take it everwhere.

I'm confused - how is she a Candidate Master @ 1600 - is it because her TPR went over 2200 at one point?

I think she is a WCM, not a CM.

Apparently she was awarded this title for her performance at the 2012 Olympiad.

Originally posted by RJHinds
Who gives a crap?

Get over yourself. Stay out of the chess forum you moronic hypocrite. Every time you post in this forum, you are going back on your word. Save your crap for the spirit forum. Your delusions aren't needed here.