| Xiangzhi Bu Youngest GM
in the world Xiangzhi Bu of China becomes
the youngest Grand Master in Chess history. On Saturday Oct. 24th '99 he completed his
third and final GM Norm by jointly winning the Qiangdao Daily Cup at Qiangdao in China.
Bu, born Dec. 10th '85, betters the existing record set by Ukrainian GM Russlan Ponomariov
in Oct.1997. Reaching this remarkable milestone at the young age of 13 years, 10 months
and 13 days Bu has sent a strong message that the records are set to be broken and it
shall get younger in the days to come. Bu overcomes his illustrious predecessors viz.,
Judit Polgar (Hungary), Peter Leko (Hungary), Etiene Bacrot(France) in addition to
Ponomariov (Ukraine).
Showing great composure for a thirteen-year-old, Bu
overcame a twin loss in the first two rounds scoring 6/9 in a ten player field of GMs and
IMs. He shares the title with GMs Dao Thien Hai (Vietnam), GM Peng Xiaomin (China) and IM
Wu Wenjin (China). As for Bu's rating, he has to raise it to 2500. The ball is now in
FIDE's court and it is for them to ratify the event and confirm the record of Bu. Though
Bu's norms are subject to FIDE ratification they have been certified by the arbiters. Bu,
also the reigning world Under 14 champion, had obtained two norms in Hungary in September
and October 1997. His record proves that the young generation is marching in the right
track and do sense the game in a better manner.
Just behind Bu is the talented 12-year-old European Youth -
Under 18 Champion Teimour Radjabov of Azerbaijan. Radjabov, born 12th Mar.'87 is already
playing strongly enough to score GM norms and has time on his side. And Azerbaijan is the
place that has given the world the strongest Chess player in history Gary Kasparov.
Radjabov is currently in crusade with the world title for the Age Group championships in
Spain.
Final Standing
| |
Name |
Pts |
| 1. |
Dao Thien Hai Vietnam |
6.0 |
| 2. |
Peng Xiaomin China |
6.0 |
| 3. |
Bu Xiangzhi China |
6.0 |
| 4. |
Wu Wenjin China |
6.0 |
| 5. |
Iuldachev Saidali Uzbekistan |
5.5 |
| 6. |
Ye Jiangchuan China |
5.0 |
| 7. |
IsaevJamshed Tajikistan |
4.5 |
| 8. |
Nazarov Anvar Tajikistan |
3.5 |
| 9. |
Wang Shuo China |
1.5 |
| 10. |
Liang Shuai China |
1.0 |
|
