Saad Elmi clinches IM title at World U18!
Saad Abobaker Elmi of Norway earned his final IM norm at the World Youth under-18 in Brazil after finishing 7.5/11. This result comes months after he earned his 2nd IM norm (barely missing a GM norm) at the Zadar GM Norm Tournament in Croatia. Elmi scored his first IM norm at the Kragero Resort Chess International in February 2023. His improvement has been rapid.
The 18-year-old Somali immigrant is sponsored by the Norwegian company FERD and studies at the Norwegian School of Elite Sports. Elmi is also mentored by GM Pontus Carlsson and is part of the Business Meets Chess & Kids “Extreme Makeover” training program. He came from Somalia after his parents settled in Oslo, Norway, and learned chess early on. In 2022, he won the Nordic Youth Championships in Romania and placed second in the Norway Junior Championship.
Saad Elmi (Elo 2382)
Norway is generally known as the home of Magnus Carlsen, but there a number of young talents rising through the ranks. Elmi, along with GM Elham Amar and IM Aksel Kvaloy may be Norway’s version of the “youth movement” that has swept across the world. Carlsson (not to be confused with Carlsen) has been mentoring Elmi and hopes to help he can reach the Grandmaster title.
Below is an older video of Saad playing blitz against GM Tomas Laurusas (Czech Republic):