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IM Simutowe defeats two GMs, but misses GM norm in Spain |
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The Magistral de Salou was an invitational chess tournament featuring a diverse set of 12 players from 11 different countries. IM Amon Simutowe had high hopes and started well by besting Moroccan, Hicham Hamdouchi, a long-time veteran of international tournaments, and the tournament's top seed. The Category 9 required an 8-3 score for a GM norm, but turned out to be a disappointment for the young Zambian IM. He tied with four others for third place with 5½-6½ in a close tournament in which everyone was evenly matched. Israeli GM Arthur Kogan and German IM Fabian Doettling would tie for 1st with 6½-5½, but no player would finish the tournament without losing. Simutowe also defeated French GM Marc Santo-Roman and American FM Gregory Shahade. His losses were at the hands of WGM Antoaneta Stefanova of Bulgaria, IM Leonardo Valdes of Cuba, and IM Robert Fontaine of France (who lead the tournament early before faltering). Despite missing the GM result, Simutowe will have several chances to earn GM norms this summer when he plays in several strong U.S. tournaments.
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