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For years, Richard Kato has come to play chess in Katwe, a crime-ridden slum on the outskirts of Uganda's capital, Kampala.
It is only a few kilometres from the city centre but for the many young people who live here, opportunity often seems far away.
But hidden amongst the maze of rutted, dusty dirt alleyways, a modest concrete building offers hope for those who think a board game could be a ticket out.
"Chess has given me a lot of opportunity," Mr Kato said.
"I am at school because of chess. It's also helped to provide meals at our home. And it has also helped me to acquire so many friends."
Raised in impoverished conditions, the 18-year-old was originally sent to the club by his mother because they offered players free bowls of porridge. Over time, he became one of their most promising players.
"Chess has made me so special," Mr Kato said.
"The degree to which I love chess, I can't guess."
His mother, Gertrude Nanono, still can't believe it. She had struggled to raise her children ever since her husband left.
"After all the difficult situations we went through, I couldn't imagine my children could be successful," she said.
"Now I feel so proud and excited by what they have achieved."
Photo:
Gertrude Nanono is proud her son has become a successful chess players (ABC News: Sally Sara)
The Som Chess Academy was founded at a weatherboard church in 2004 by missionary Robert Katende. Centres have since opened at seven villages in Uganda plus four other Kampala slums.
One skilled player, Phiona Mutesi, became an international chess prodigy whose rags-to-riches story was adapted for the 2016 Disney film Queen of Katwe.
The private school which granted her a scholarship has become home to dozens of young chess students.
Caroline Mali, the head teacher at St Mbuga Vocational Secondary School, said the story inspired others.
"This is where the dream came from and now she is in a university in the US," she said.
"She never would have dreamed of that. Many of them want that. They look forward to that. They do their best in chess, because they know it opens several doors.
The Ugandan Chess Federation has also seen a strong upturn in the number of youngsters wanting to take up the sport.
Emmanuel Mwaka, the federation's president, says Uganda has been nurturing the next generation of leaders and champions.
"You can't be a leader without strategy," he said.
"And chess is about strategy and decision making. We are coming up with a grandmaster very soon. Watch this space."
Topics: human-interest, access-to-education, games, arts-and-entertainment, uganda
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