|
Zambia's Amon Simutowe, 22 and South Africa's Kenny Solomon, 24 will make history when they play in the first World Chess Championship on the African continent. Along with other African participants from north Africa, the two International Masters will be among the 128 players in Tripoli, Libya vying for a spot in the reunification cycle.
Simutowe will be making his 3rd appearance in the FIDE World Championship after qualifying in the regional African Championship. Solomon, a tough competitor, will make his debut appearance becoming the second South African in recent years to qualify. IM Watu Kobese had appeared three times and shocked the world by pressing Hungary's Peter Leko in the 2001 tournament.
Both Simutowe and Solomon have known each other for a long time and undoubtedly support each other in their tough 1st round pairings. Simutowe is paired with the Netherland's Ivan Sokolov (world's #19 player) while Solomon will play Russia's Alexander Grischuk (the world's #11 player).
|
|