The "Zambezi Shark" hunts for GM norm in the Swiss Olympic Capital Open

According to the lineup for the Olympic Capital Young Master's tournament, IM Amon Simutowe is one of the world's strongest juniors with a FIDE rating of 2470. In spite of this, he is playing in the 9-round Masters Open tournament which is being in conjunction with the Young Master's.  In search of his first GM norm, the young Zambian Master and brightest star of Africa, has been touring Europe and hopes to make his U.S. debut this summer. In the current tournament, the field contains 25 GMs, 24 IMs, and IM Simutowe is ranked 28th with the top seed being GM Alexander Graf of Germany (2649). The Open tournament also features a horde of young titled players seeking norms including 17-year old IM Lenier Domiguez of Cuba (2556) and 15-year old WGM Xue Zhao of China (2428). So far IM Simutowe has 2½ points going into the 4th round with his next opponent being GM Vladimir Tukmakov of the Ukraine (2604).

Olympic Masters Open Website (in French)

Posted by The Chess Drum: 23 May 2001