ZIMBABWEAN chess arbiter, Victor Chimbamu has taken a significant step towards becoming Zimbabwe’s second International Arbiter (IA) after passing the International Arbiter Seminar Certification Course.
The online seminar, held on December 14-15, was conducted by renowned lecturers Takis of Greece and Grandmaster Gupo of India. Chimbamu was one of only two African participants, alongside an Egyptian counterpart, among the 25 FIDE Arbiters who undertook the gruelling 16-hour course.
The seminar culminated in a three-hour examination, which was monitored via Zoom and answered through Google Sheets. Results were posted on the FIDE website by December 20, confirming Chimbamu’s successful completion of the course.
To attain IA status, Chimbamu must now submit five norms, including the IA Seminar Norm and four tournaments that meet international standards. If successful, he will join Simbarashe Murimi as Zimbabwe’s second IA, paving the way for a new generation of Zimbabwean chess arbiters.
Chimbamu’s achievement is a testament to his dedication and the guidance of his predecessors, who have paved the way for professional arbiter development in Zimbabwe. With Chimbamu on the cusp of history, Zimbabwean chess enthusiasts eagerly await his potential achievement, which could inspire a new wave of arbiters by 2025.
