“Chess in Slums” treks to Kenya, Uganda!

Tunde Onakoya of “Chess in Slums” visiting Kenya with representatives
from partner organization, “The Gift of Chess.”

Tunde Onakoya has spent the last five years refining his delivery of “Chess in Slums” to some of the most poverty-stricken areas of Nigeria. Now His initiative has attracted many admirers and supporters around the world. Last year, he was featured on a couple of videos holding a tournament under a notorious overpass bridge in Oshodi, one of the worst slums in Lagos. He continues charging forward and most recently he narrates the vision during trips to Kenya and Uganda. One of the places visited was Katwe, the village made famous in the story “Queen of Katwe.”

Video and photos by The Gift of Chess

Last year, Onakoya had begun collaborating with New York-based organization, The Gift of Chess which resulted in National Master Tyrone Davis III traveling to Nigeria for a goodwill visit. The organization has branched out to Kenya and the collaboration continues. Phiona Mutesi, the character in Queen of Katwe, has graduated from college and is now working for Microsoft. The work never ends for “Chess in Slums” and perhaps the visit to East Africa may uncover more fascinating stories.

Visit “The Gift of Chess”