The Ugandan chess community mourns the loss of Fr. Damian Grimes, a Roman Catholic Mill Hill Missionary priest who played a pivotal role in the development of the sport in the country.
Grimes, who passed away at the age of 93, dedicated 41 years of his life to serving Uganda, from 1959 to 2000.
Known for his passion for sports, especially in the schools category, Grimes was the driving force behind the establishment of the National Schools Chess Championship in the early 1980s.
The event, initially held at Namasagali College in Kamuli District, was a brainchild of the British-born priest who also served as the school’s headmaster.
In recognition of his significant contributions, the championship was later renamed the Fr. Grimes Chess Championship.
Today, the name is synonymous with the largest and most prestigious schools chess competition in Uganda.
Although chess in Uganda dates back to the 1950s, it was Grimes’ efforts that spurred the grassroots development of the sport.
His annual inter-school chess competitions, held during the first-term break in Kamuli District, provided countless young players with the opportunity to compete and hone their skills.
