In a small village along Lake Malawi, a unique movement is unfolding, spearheaded by Susan Namangale, who aims to democratize chess in her country. The 49-year-old chess enthusiast, who began her journey with the game at age nine, is on a passionate mission to convey that "Chess is for everyone."
Namangale recalls how, while other children her age spent their allowance on treats, she and her friends pooled their money to buy chessboards for their school. "If my mother knew then what I had done with the little pocket money she had given me, I would have been in trouble," she reminisces, dressed stylishly in a suit that echoes the game's checkered board.
With over 150 chess clubs established throughout Malawi, Namangale is addressing the misconception that chess is an elitist pastime. She has successfully introduced the game to rural schools, prisons, and underserviced communities, creating an inclusive environment around it.
The turning point for Namangale's affection for chess came during a school holiday when her sister Gladys returned home with a chessboard, a gift from Peace Corps volunteers after excelling in math. Gladys' teachings sparked Susan's deep interest in the game, but it wasn't long before she found herself alone, seeking companionship for her newfound passion in the limited-access village of Chombo.
Namangale is now the founder of the Dadaz Chess Academy in Lilongwe, where she continues to promote chess not just as a game, but as a powerful tool for intellectual development and social change. Her vision inspires many, proving that through the love of chess, barriers can be broken, and opportunities created in the lives of young Malawians.
