Simutowe in Netherlands for GM norm quest!
IM Amon Simtuowe. Photo © Fred Lucas www.fredlucas.eu.
Round 1: IM Puchen Wang, New Zealand – Simutowe, 0-1
Round 2: GM Nona Gaprindashvili, Georgia – Simutowe – 0-1
Round 3: Simutowe – Vincent Rothuis, the Netherlands, 1-0
Round 4: IM Willy Hendriks, the Netherlands – Simutowe, 0-1
Round 5: Simutowe – GM Oscar Panno, Argentina, ½-½
Round 6: GM Fridrik Ólafsson, Iceland – Simutowe, 0-1
Round 7: Simutowe – WGM Bianca Muhren, the Netherlands, 1-0
Round 8: IM Helgi Ziska, Faroe Islands – Simutowe, ½-½
Round 9: Simutowe – GM Dibyendu Barua, India, ½-½
Score: 7½-1½ (GM norm)
Official Site: Euwe International (Arnhem, the Netherlands)
Drum Coverage: https://www.thechessdrum.net/newsbriefs/2007/NB_ASimutowe9.html
Let’s hope Amon doesn’t decide to go on cruise control at some point. He may actually be able to run the table!
The GMS that Amon will play against next are much older with not too high ratings. With some good play and cool head, our man should be able to pull off the desired norm (hare) from their hats. Lets just hold our breath and wait, anything can still happen here. Meanwhile, Congratualtions to Amon on his wins so far.
The programme that Simutowe embarked on earlier this year is
bearing fruit. With each tournament he shows improvement.
I would be very interested to see his rating- progression throughout the programme. It could be a good precedent for other ambitious players to follow.
He has a more a more technical style than Emory Tate and perhaps a better endgame. I hope he plays more players such as Shabalov so he can get experience and improve.
Hi Amon,
Greetings. Do keep your focus. You can do it. Look foward to you attainting your goal. Best of luck.
Keep the beat going. Ronnie RJ Nelson sends his greetings. We are behind you 100%.
Lesley-Ann
Kids Chess Academy
😉
I followed the game live. With fifty-eight seconds on his clock I called Edison Raphael to let him know what was happening. I’m sure by the time he logged on the game was over. A nice finish!
Amon is almost there. We wish him all the best in the following days.
I couldn’t follow this last game live because of work but GM Dibyendu Barua of India may be the strongest challenge for Amon out of the whole bunch. He is set to play him in the last round. With the way Amon is playing now, I don’t really see anyone (including GM Dibyendu Barua) stopping him if he sets his mind on winning. We shall see how this will all end
Amon Simply has a much broader understanding of chess than all players out there, you should read his interviews. I think he has a whole new approach to chess that has never been seen before, in my opinion this will take him much futher that the incridible GM tittle. Trust me, those top guys won’t even know what hit them. Just a few years, we will see. GOODLUCK AMON!!
Can Amon get a norm from this event or is it too weak?
I hope that Amon will keep up the good momentum.
Even great players like Kramnik are known to falter and
run out of gas before the end. Amon generates a lot of ideas
in certain positions.
A nicely ground-out win against WGM Bianca Muhren puts him within arm’s length. Congratulations!
TO AMON SIMUTOWE;KEEP UP THE SPIRIT ,THE WHOLE COUNTRY IS FOLLOWING YOUR QUEST OF BECOMING A GRAND MASTER AND YOUR PERFORMANCE IN THE TOURNAMENT, IN THE ZAMBIAN PRESS. IT WILL BE A GOOD MORALE BOOSTER IN ZAMBIAN CHESS.LOOKING FORWARD TO MEET YOU IN NAMIBIA AT THE AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIP.I APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IN PROMOTING ZAMBIAN CHESS AND A HAND THAT YOU HAVE LENDERED TO HELP ME,KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!!!!
I am a Zambian chess enthusiast who has followed Amon’s progress with keen interest. I do hope that the young man will finally get the third norm that has eluded him for many years. Stay focused Amon, we are behind you.
Hi,
Looks like it’s a done deal for the Amon, the man the chess world knows as the Zambezi Shark because of his prowess.
Chess is considered a minor sport in Zambia but Amon’s competitiveness on the world stage has rendered some kind of credence to it.
If he becomes a GM – which is a matter of course – he will certainly raise Zambia’s profile.
As a journalist, I have followed his perforamnce from the time he was 10 and I know he could have attained the last GM norm even at 18 but for his school commitment.
Now he has shrieked out to make a mark, which is only a draw away, and ofcourse the fulfilment of the 2500 rating.
There are many more amons in Zambia and how I wish someone can identify them.
I congradulate and spur Amon on to conclude the quest of bringing glory to sub-sahara Africa. GET THE DAMN NORM MAN! Refering to Amon as GM. Simutowe is long overdue! I have just been on the phone with his brother Musatwe who himself is poised to duel alongside him in the Africa Champs diarized for Namibia in two weeks ( I wrote more on this on my site https://www.chessacademy.co.za/). The mood in Zambia is understandably boyant and there is an expectation of carnival jubilation plus a spontenious outpour of emotion reminiscent to when “Chipolopolo’s” (National soccer team) WIN’s on national duty. This can only mean one thing; the growing fascination to chess brought to the fore by this imminent feat, thanks to Amon, spells a great future for the game.
I recall fondly when a 15 year old boldly asked me to foster him in my family home in Johannesburg. He explained with confidence that he is on a mission to become a GRANDMASTER and South Africa will provide a good launch pad for this ambition. For almost half a decade, Amon worked on chess 24/7 studying and learning. He left the apartment only to sizzle and blaze the chess scene out here winning all the events he participated in. He was nicknamed “The Evil one” for fighting tooth & nail for a point even if he had comfortable leads! However it would not have been possible without the unselfish and generous spirit of IM. Watu Kobese. Watu himself went on to intimate without envy that he has never seen such a talented teenager and Amon is “wired for chess!” to make GM status with ease! Certainly Kobese’s chess mentorship to Simutowe at that critical juncture accounted to the meteoric rise that otherwise cannot be explained. I have it on authority that the otherwise introvert Watu wil be the happiest for Amon.
YOU SHOULD SEE TODAYS GAMES, VERY TACTICAL
AMON TOOK A RISCKY ROOT TODAY, BUT IN THE END I THINK HE WILL OUTSMART THE OPPONET. THE GAME IS VERY OPEN.
😛
I’m glad tp see that Amon has maintained his focus and determination. It is nice to see him move even that much closer to his dream. He is indeed inspiring a lot of young players and old alike!
I have beeen following you games live. To me this is the wold cup Zambia has won. Amon deserves a diplomatic passport. The tourist Board of Zambia take it up. This round 8 game was really scaring, i was following it live. The president of Zambia should chatter a plane for you. I know how amon plays, he is a wonder boy. You have done as proud.
Woo-hoo!!!
Wow!..at one pt, Ziska had over ten minutes when he had less than 2!
Way to go Amon. Congrats on your final GM norm! Hopefully more young Zambians can follow in your footsteps and become GMs.
By his example of hard work combined with discipline and raw chess talent, Simutowe has shown young African chess players and many more around the world the blueprint of combining “chess career vs. life’s career” management strategy” :
1. First prove to the world that you have the wherewithal to play chess – display your raw chess talent,
2. Then get some of your emotional needs out of the way – by finishing your education first along with the other road blocks of life out of your mind,
3. Finally, before you get too committed to other cares of life, go after your IM/GM titles if that is what your heart desires.
GM Elect Amon Simutowe has done all these and much more and the result is the coveted third GM norm. We are very proud of Zambia’s (and indeed Africa’s) Amon Simutowes achievement and wish him many more in the near future.
Amons third GM norm is a win for all Africans. As a result of this, many up and coming chess players of the African origin everywhere will strive more to reach their highest potential. This can then mean only one thing and that is more IM and GM norm candidates out of Africa will be crowned sooner rather than later.
A big congratulations and a hug for GM elect Simutowe.
😀
Big Ups! Amon.
You have done Africa Proud!
“ONE ZAMBIA, ONE NATION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Amon is the best. What i don’t understand is what is needed from now so he can get the final norm, or has he done already before the last round?
Well done Amon. At last you have made Zambia and Africa proud . I have been following your games quite closely. It is very encouraging to have a chess grand master in our midst.
I wish you all the best in your future chess games.
Amon, Conglatulations.
I like what Kunle Elegbede has said on Comments No. 30, (on 26 Aug 2007 at 3:15 am) and I quote him.
The above Blue Print Fundamentals will enable most Black Africans to join the GM Club, and I relate Kunle Elegbede’s word to a wise man vision.
Daaim Shabazz, Many thanks for enlightening us, n your efforts n HIGHLY APPRECIATED contribution to promoting chess – Just saying thank you is not enough. Keep it up!!!
Ngubeni, I know you in there.
To Amon’s fans, thumbs up!
Congrats once again Amon.
God Bless you All.
Solomon J. Simutowe
Elder Bro.
Well done Amon.I can’t forget when you beat Hikaru Nakamura.The guy was moving very fast as if he had a divine right to win against you.
Amon
Congratulations on achieving this milestone. Your are an inspiration to all of us here in Trinidad and Tobago, particularly since you were just here and played amongst us. Keep up your good work and continue to make us proud!! I thought you said that it would take you another three months or so to get your last GM norm?! I guess you’re on an accelerated programme!
Looking forward to seeing you again in T&T soon.
Kurtis Chong 🙂
This is unbelievable though expected! Congrats GM Simutowe…
Above all, I have “loved” the way u have played [I say it as if in the past coz u have won!] playing endgame against Barua…
CongratulationstoSimutowe.
He is an inspiration and hopefully Jamaican playerscan emulate him.
He has shown what can be done when aGMnorm is achieved through hardworkin preparation and a travelplan.
Hopefully Emory Tate will use this as a template for his future success.
Hey Amon Congratulations on getting your third norm. Now get your rating to 2500 so we cant start calling you GM Amon Simutowe. lol
Congrats Amon! All the best in the future!
Zambia’s national homepage have just opened a congrats page for Simutowe. https://zambia.co.zm/simutowe/index.php
At last, after a spirited fight that has characterized Amon through out his chess career, the elusive third GM norm is finally tucked away. My hearty congratulations to the young man for the patience, determination, resilience and focus he has shown. This milestone achievement will definitely boost the levels of Chess in Zambia and the rest of the African continent. The immense pride you have brought to Zambia is indescribably great!
I have all the confidence that it will not be long before Amon fulfills the 2500 rating, and then our lips will proudly utter those glorious words, “Grand Master Amon Simutowe.” I have a bumper sticker on my vehicle which sports the Zambian flag and the words, I LOVE ZAMBIA. After showing the Netherlands results to my friends on campus in Jackson, Mississippi, USA, I am sure they now understand one of the reasons why I am proud to be Zambian.
At age 5, my son has already started showing an unusual interest in the game and Amon’s accomplishment has motivated me to encourage my son and do all I can to nurture this interest.
Once again congratulations to you Amon, and I wish you the best in Namibia and the years ahead.
Well! What else can I say?
Amon,you are the MAN! You have done us proud. You are the definition of an achiever.May shame never leave the faces of all your critics.As for you attaining the rating of 2500,that is now like crossing a stream,you have already crossed the ‘mighty’ Zambezi.
We as a national are so proud of you. You have lifted shame off our faces.wish you where here to take a walk down cairo road to city market…..so you could hear for yourself how everyone’s talking about you.You deserve this. Am sure your achievement is the long awaited breakthrough we needed as a sport.Am sure Chess will be treated with the respect it deserves.Remember how you made everyone know about chess?Now you have made everyone respect the game…You are the old time heavy weight champion of this game,man!
CONGRATULATIONS!
:)Job well done.You made Africa proud.
Determination and passion rip great rewards.
God is great,if you humble yourself he will lift you up.
congradulations son of the african soil.
Congratulations to Amon! What a spectacular way to enter the GM ranks… Mission accomplished, and job well done! I know I can get Amon’s games from both the Drum and Chessbase, but wouldn’t it be nice for Amon, or some other qualified player, to chronicle his games in a book and or DVD? I know it’s early yet, but this is all very exciting to me!! 😀
Way to go Amon!
Hopefully Emory will be next.
He definetely plays like a GM!
🙂 Great, Pass on into history without fear , it’s a full court press and you have what it takes to make the dunk!
Congratulations on achieving your goal, Amon. You worked hard for it and you deserved it. Great job, keep up the good work!!
Hi Amon,
Congratulations!!!! We are all very proud of you.Hope to see you back in Trinidad.
You have an open invitation- Save Our Children Foundation welcomes you.
Lesley-Ann Nelson
C. M. Ronnie Nelson Jnr.
Kids Chess Academy
Congratulations Amon!! Your perseverance paid off. We’re all proud of you. 😀
Congratulations Amon!!!!! I love chess, and have been a fan of yours since your days at UTD. We always knew that you had the talent and the character to reach grandmaster. I would love to see a tournament with you, Ashley,Morrison,Tate,Muhammad,Adu,Pontus Carlsson and other strong black players involved!!!!!! Good luck to you!
Congratulations Grandmaster Amon! I know it’s been a long and arduous journey. I look foward to seeing you in person at the next major tournament “dinner is on me!”
Simutowe
Congratulations on your wonderful achievement. We share your joy as chess players from SADC region/zone because you have amply demonstrated that with talent and hardwork you can scale the heights and earn titles that mirror your abilities. You have emerged from the pool of Southern africa’s talent ( Gwaze, Mamombe, Chumfwa, Solomon, Kobese, Njobvu, Mandizha) as a truly an outstanding competitor and a great ambassodor for the game. Well done!!
Congratulations, Amon Simutowe !
WELL DONE!! AMON I THINK YOU HAVE TO SHARE YOUR SECRETE OF CHESS TO OTHER TALENTED CHESS PLAYERS LIKE W KOBESE,R GWAZE,F MANDIZHA,J MABUSELA AND OTHERS SO THAT WE CAN HAVE AS MANY GMs AS POSSIBLE ,AMON YOU HAVE MADE AFRICA PROUD ITS HIGH-TIME THAT CHESS MUST BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION. I THINK YOUR TITTLE WILL HELP US TO MAKE CHESS PORPULAR.WELL DONE ONES AGAIN 😀
Can someone please shed light on the other 2 norms,when and where were they obtained???
Great! I absolutely love it! This great chess player is an expert in the endgame. His tactical abilities grow daily! He is a fighter! I am so please with his success!
Thanks a lot for the coverage on Amon. There are a few messages on the blog which imply that Amon has taken long in securing the “elusive” norm. Taking into account the fact that Amon included education as a prime complement to his chess pursuits I believe that he has really done well to get his third norm so soon after graduating from UTD.
Mr Ncube,
It’s finally great hearing from you.Am sure you deserve some praise for the role you played in Amon’s journey. I will forever be grateful for your role in Zambian Chess. Keep it up and keep the beat going…. 😀
I agree with you, combining school and chess can be hectic and what is important is that Amon has finally arrived at his long awaited destination. Bravo
My grandfather tells me that a FIDE norms count only within a 7 year period.If this is true it then probably nullifies the other 2 Simutowe “norms” as they were allegedly obtained in 1999 and 2000 .Can someone please clarify this for me
Thanks Daaim for clarifying that one .I will find out how one qualifies for honourary GM title. Some of our IMs deserve this im sure ,they have been around for a long time.
“The victor will never be asked if he told the truth.” — Adolf Hitler
I read about you on our God-foresaken https://sil.ghanaweb.com, and so Amon should know that Ghanaians too are proud of you. Since you are the first sub-Saharan to earn a GM, I’m sure all of us are proud of you.