The latest world chess rankings released by Chess International Federation (Fide) show that Malawi has maintained position 123 despite attaining individual titles at the just-ended 43rd World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia.
The rankings are based on average rating of top 10 players, including both men’s and women’s teams.
Malawi earned Fide Master (FM) title at this year’s World Chess Olympiad through candidate masters Joseph Mwale, George Mwale and Ellen Mpinganjira woman candidate master, but this did not help to improve the country’s ranking.
In the 2016 World Chess Olympiad, Malawi moved three steps up on the rankings in both men and ladies’ categories despite missing the competition’s first two rounds due to flight delays.
“Of course, we did not improve on the rankings as a country, but we have something to celebrate as we managed to attain three individual titles. This is no mean achievement. It is something that will inspire more up-and-coming chess players to aim high,” said Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) publicity secretary Alfred Chimthere.
The World Chess Olympiad is the most prestigious Chess event on the Fide calendar which takes place every two years. The last one was held in Baku, Azerbaijan in 2016.
According to the recent rankings, Russia is on position one, having accumulated 2 586 titles while China is second with 2 710 titles. United States of America are third with 795 titles. Egypt are top in Africa and 47th in the world with 78 titles followed by Algeria which is on position 66 globally with 72 titles.
In an interview, Mpinganjira vowed to continue working hard so that the country improves on the global rankings.
“Lessons were learnt at the recent World Chess tournament and we will do better in future international tournaments which will enable us improve our rankings,” she said. n
