Ntare School in Mbarara will host the 2026 Father Grimes National Schools Chess Championship from May 2 to May 6, with more than 300 schools from across Uganda expected to take part in one of the country’s biggest schools’ chess events.
The tournament, organised by the Uganda Chess Federation, is expected to attract a massive turnout as each participating school will field a team of five players.
Uganda Chess Federation president Andrew Bakiza said taking the championship to western Uganda is part of the federation’s wider plan to grow the game across the country.
“Taking this championship to Ntare School Mbarara is one of the ways we are using it as a federation trying to take chess to the grassroots,” Bakiza said.
Bakiza added that the championship is not only about competition but also about player development as Uganda prepares for upcoming international chess events.
The tournament will feature several categories including Primary Open, Secondary Open and Secondary Girls, a structure aimed at promoting inclusivity and ensuring competitive balance among participants.
The Father Grimes National Schools Chess Championship has become one of the key platforms for identifying and nurturing young talent in Uganda, with many top players using school competitions as a stepping stone to the national team and international tournaments.
Beyond the battle on the chessboard, the event also reflects wider efforts to expand the sport to regional and grassroots levels in line with Uganda’s new sports law framework. By bringing together schools from different parts of the country, organisers hope to deepen the game’s reach and inspire more young players to embrace chess.
