Watch This. Lupita Nyong’o and Zendaya Talk Chess.

Queen of Katwe, Lupita Nyong'o, Zendaya


As part of a series of promo videos for her film Queen of Katwe, Lupita Nyong’o sat with Zendaya for a brief interview, in which the two talents talked about playing chess. Zendaya admitted to not knowing much about the popular game of skill and strategy, and Lupita revealed that she had actually been trained by Ugandan chess master Robert Katende.

Katende also trained Ugandan chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi, whose life and story inspired the book upon which Queen of Katwe is based. Mutesi is played by newcomer Madina Nalwanga, and David Oyelowo plays Katende.

“The skill you learn in chess that is so applicable to life is to look at where you are and where you need to go and figuring out how to get there, figuring out the obstacles in your way,” Nyong’o told Zendaya.

Watch the interview below. Queen of Katwe is now in theaters, check your local listings.