Mwale eight places up chess ratings ladder

South Africa-based chess whiz-kid Joseph Mwale has become Malawi’s second highest rated player after improving his rating by 60 points to move eight places up the local rankings order.

This follows the 20-year-old’s superb performance during recent local and international rated competitions recognised by the world chess governing body Fide, according to Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) president Kezzie Msukwa.

“Thumbs-up Joseph Mwale for the biggest jump of the month with 60 rating points to become the country’s second highest rated player at 2074. However, we shall continue playing rated tourneys until we really know who is Malawi’s top player,” said Msukwa.

Joseph Nyambalo remains the highest ranked player in the country with a rating of 2 082, eight points ahead of Mwale, who has perfected his rating from 2 014 in November to 2 074.

Fide master Gerard Mphungu, candidate master Chiletso Chipanga, candidate master Alfred Chimthere and South Africa-based candidate master Richard Mbedza are third, fourth, fifth and sixth on the ladder with 2 031, 2 026, 2 006 and 1 989 respectively.

Joseph Mwale’s elder brother Chuma, Petros Mfune, Paul Kuphwatheya and Francis Banda complete the top-10 list with 1 957, 1 874, 1 841 and 1 841 in that order. Newton Jere (1 770), Overton Kanyinji (1 714) and Stanford Chibambo (1 703) are the new entries on the rating’s order. They are 11th, 12th and 13th on the list.

Vitumbiko Gondwe tops the ladies’ rankings with 1 523 followed by Tupokiwe Msukwa with 1 291 and Royce Msiska with 1 260.