FOUR decades ago in the high-density suburb of Mabvuku, where dreams often compete with daily survival, Victor Chimbamu’s journey began quietly, with a simple love for chess.
Now, at 46, that quiet beginning has grown into something remarkable. Chimbamu has become Zimbabwe’s third International Arbiter, one of the highest honours in global chess officiating a title often compared to the prestige of a Grandmaster on the playing side.
But the road to this moment was long, uncertain, and deeply personal.
“This comes after a long time,” Chimbamu said.
“It was after more than a decade of experience as a FIDE Arbiter.”
His journey into arbitration began in 2014 in Durban, where he first trained and qualified. At the time, he had no idea it would define his life.
“I never thought that I was going to be an arbiter,” Chimbamu said.
“Growing up, we used to play chess and enjoy it. Maybe part of it was coaching.”
He mentored young players who would go on to make their own mark in the game, including his younger brother, Elisha Chimbamu, IM Rodwell Makoto, and Lloyd Moyo. But even as he gave to others, his own path remained unclear.
There were moments when he drifted away from officiating altogether.
“In 2018, I went to Botswana just as a reporter, reporting in a tournament where I never arbitrated,” the 46-year-old chess arbiter said.
Rather than pulling him away, that period deepened his connection to the game. He wrote extensively, covered emerging talent, and helped tell the stories of African chess.
“I never gave up on chess,” he added.
“That was another angle of promoting the game.”
His eye for talent proved sharp. He recalls predicting the rise of players such as Namibian chess sensation IM Dante Beukes, who later became an International Master.
“I actually predicted that in the next five years he was going to be an IM, and he managed to do that,” Chimbamu said.
But while he was documenting others’ success, his own journey demanded hard work and patience.
“There was a lot of endurance, persistence, perseverance, dedication and diligence,” Chimbamu said.
“There was no giving up.”
Becoming an International Arbiter, particularly in Africa, is no easy feat. Opportunities to earn the required norms are limited, and many aspiring arbiters are forced to travel across borders in search of qualifying tournaments.
For Chimbamu, Zambia became a second home.
“I had the privilege of attending different high-level tournaments like the latest Silverest Open Chess Championships held in January,” he alluded.
“This was an eye-opener as it gave me much-needed exposure and experience.”
At the Silverest Open, which featured Grandmasters from Russia and Algeria, Chimbamu served as Deputy Chief Arbiter under Zambia’s IA Aaron Banda an experience he describes as pivotal.
He also officiated at the 2024 Zone 4.5 tournament in Lusaka, a major continental event, as well as multiple editions of the LPCA Open Championships and the Malawi Open.
“I sacrificed a lot to go to some of these tournaments,” Chimbamu said.
“In some instances, you would have to foot your own transport and accommodation.”
Many of these assignments were voluntary, driven more by passion than reward.
“Zone 4.5, I was a volunteer. At the Silverest Open, I was also a volunteer,” Chimbamu said.
There were also setbacks along the way.
“There was a tournament where I did not get a norm. Why? I don’t know,” Chimbamu bemoaned.
Yet through every disappointment, he held onto faith and determination.
“Philippians 4:13 is my key scripture,” Chimbamu said.
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way. I never gave up.”
Behind his persistence was a strong support system at home.
“My wife supported me,” the recently qualified IA said.
“Much of the work was voluntary, but I knew this was something I wanted. I had to sacrifice.”
His breakthrough comes at a time when Zimbabwe continues to grow its presence in international chess, with IA Chimbamu now joining a very small group of elite arbiters in the country.
“The recent success I give credit to my predecessors the likes of IA Simbarashe Murimi and the International Arbiter movement,” Chimbamu added.
“Officials in Zambia also gave me opportunities to officiate, which helped me grow.”
Now, with the title secured, his focus shifts to the future both globally and at home.
“Internationally, I want to officiate at the highest level,” Chimbamu concluded.
“Locally, my dream is to be a Fide Lecturer lecturing to other would be Fide Arbiters and also promote the local Arbiters.”
