Young players top as Chess Kenya releases 2024 ratings
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 01.01.25. | 12:45
At least five junior players managed to finish the year in the top ten, proof of the changing landscape in the scene
After an impressive year, in which he picked positive results, 17-year-old Kaloki Hawi has achieved a rare feat-ending of 2024 as the highest-ranked Kenyan chess player.
Hawi ended the year with a rating of 2040 making him the youngest ever highest rated player in Kenya.
He follows in the footsteps of current national champion Robert Macligeyo who, in 2023 while aged 18, was the highest-ranked Kenya player with a rating of 2027.
Hawi had an impressive performance in 2024 during which he was declared the national junior champion, and had an impressive performance at the World Youth Chess Championships held in Brazil.
He also featured in almost all senior events and managed to make a podium finish in all of them.
At least five junior players managed to finish the year in the top ten, proof of the changing landscape in the scene as younger players fight to elbow the older generation.
After being declared the national champion last year, Macligeyo now aged 19 is third on the ranking with a rating of 2027, the same one he had two years ago when he was at the top of the pile.
At just 14 years old, Kyle Kuka is the youngest highest-rated player in the top ten category having finished the year with an impressive rating of 1989.
Kuka has been phenomenal this year after being signed by league champions Equity Bank.
His greatest performance was when he beat former national champion Joseph Methu of KCB in a league match.
Other top-ranked men include Martin Gateri (2030), Ben Magana (2012), Ben Nguku (2004), Deng Achuot Atem (1986), Mehul Gohil (1975), Joseph Methu (1963) and Ian Mutuge (1959).
In the women category, Sasha Mongeli finished the year as the top-ranked woman with a rating of 1874.
She is followed by Julie Mutisya who ends 2024 with an 1838 rating. 14-year-old Elizabeth Cassidy Maina breaks into the top five for the first time with a rating of 1752.
There are three junior players in the top ten category.
Shukri Shakira is ranked in seventh position (1735), Kaloki Zuri is eighth with 1720 and Winnie Kaburo completes the top ten rankings with a 1682 rating.
