If you talk to any Grandmaster, they will tell you of the various challenges they have faced to reach that level. Today's timeline for earning the title has become accelerated with players as young as 12-13 earning the title. However, others are not as fortunate and as one gets older, life tends to get in the way. For Zambia's Amon Simutowe,  life may have just begun.

Fresh from earning his baccalaureate degree from University of Texas-Dallas, Simutowe is charting a course to earn the coveted title. He has planned a schedule of tournaments designed to (1) increase his ELO rating and (2) earn his 3rd and final norm. These feats appear to be feasible and the Zambia's top player is ready for the task.  In the Miami International, Simutowe was satisfied with his play despite an even score. He played some interesting games including an exciting encounter against IM Blas Lugo.

Simutowe has mentioned that his tentative tournament schedule will include:

Chicago Open (May 25-28, Chicago, USA)
National Open (June 7-11, Las Vegas, USA)
World Open (July 4-8, Philadelphia, USA)
African Championship (July 11-23, Algiers, Algeria)
Dutch Open (July 24-August 2nd)
Vlissingen Int'l (August 4th-11th, Vlissingen, Netherlands)
Cannes Festival (16th-27th, Cannes, France)

Simutowe is gaining moral support for the quest of the GM title and views it as a way to bring glory to Zambia. He has mentioned the possibility of being an ambassador for chess in his own country, but his earning the GM title would have a much greater reach. While moral support is strong amongst friends and chess players, he is still in need of funding to support his efforts. At press time, Simutowe is in negotiations to participate in a practice match with a Grandmaster. This may provide him the needed practice to accomplish his goal.

Posted by The Chess Drum: 2 May 2007