MBABANE – There has been a shake-up in the country’s individual player FIDE rankings, updated yesterday.
The rankings are mainly influenced by player performances from the 46th International Chess Federation (FIDE) Chess Olympiad, which ended on Sunday, September 27, 2026 in Uzbekistan.
According to the current FIDE rankings, Candidate Master Mbongeni Mabuza is now the number one player in the country. CM Mabuza, who formed part of Team Eswatini, has just overtaken his teammate at Trojan Horse Chess Club, CM Sikhanyiso ‘Skha’ Sihlongonyane, in the rankings.
He now leads the standings by the slightest of margins – just one Elo point – as he is rated 1 833. CM Sihlongonyane, who was not part of the recent Team Eswatini squad, holds a 1 832 Elo rating and has previously been the country’s top-board chess master.
In third spot is CM Smilo Hlophe, while the reigning Under-18 champion, CM Santiago De Nobrega, now occupies fourth position. De Nobrega had a memorable Chess Olympiad in which he earned the CM title and achieved a rating of 1 817. CM Simphiwe Dlamini completes the top five.
“The Chess Olympiad Elo gains helped me to boost my rating and become the top-rated player. I am so grateful. Though I haven’t gained as much as my expected target, I do believe I will now reach a 2 000 rating in the future,” Mabuza says.
He added that he still needs to do more and understands the pressure of being the top-ranked player.
“I will now build solid preparation from this journey moving forward. I have no choice but to maintain this position. I can feel the pressure right now because everyone will now fight to challenge me for the top spot. So for me, I think I should be able to handle the pressure and nerves, and with the experience I have, I do believe I can maintain my position,” he states.
On the other hand, Women Candidate Master Sinqobile Dlamini leads the women’s section, ranking 23rd overall out of the 53 local players who appear in the official rankings. WCM Dlamini was also part of Team Eswatini and now boasts an Elo rating of 1 596.
Coming after her is Nosimilo Mkhonto, who holds an overall ranking of 34th with her 1 545 Elo rating. The ladies’ section reigning national champion, Nolwazi Nkwanyana – who returned with a WCM title from the Olympiad – ranks third among the women, while Nomcebo Sibisi and Tivumile Ngozo complete the top five female players.
Furthermore, Kiara Halar, who collected a few points from her maiden Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities, also occupies a respectable place in the rankings.
The rankings:
1. CM Mbongeni Mabuza – 1 833
2. CM Sikhanyiso Sihlongonyane – 1 832
3. CM Smilo Hlophe – 1 828
4. CM Santiago De Nobrega – 1 817
5. CM Simphiwe Dlamini – 1 758
6. Lunga Malinga – 1 739
7. Philani Mtsetfwa – 1 723
8. Nkosivile Mabuza – 1 698
9. Kwanele Ngwenya – 1 681
10. Lunga Mavuso – 1 679
11. Vuyo Nxumalo – 1 669
12. Vukani Masuku – 1 661
13. Mandisa Simelane – 1 648
14. Seneme Khumalo – 1 617
15. Vuyo Dlamini – 1 615
16. Tadala Mwale – 1 615
17. Mzukwana Masuku – 1 611
18. Nduduzo Fakudze – 1 610
19. Bandiswa Dlamini – 1 607
20. Thabang Molapo – 1 605
21. Sinethemba Matsebula – 1 603
22. Ayanda Ndlandla – 1 602
23. Sicalo Gumedze – 1 598
24. WCM Sinqobile Dlamini – 1 596
25. Surprise Ntiwane – 1 592
26. Thamsanqa Masuku – 1 590
27. Msiziwethu Matsebula – 1 581
28. Marta Pales Pi – 1 573
29. Meluleki Mdluli – 1 565
30. Qhubeka Simelane – 1 564
31. Qiniso Matsebula – 1 559
32. Mlondi Mdluli – 1 552
33. Kiara Halar – 1 551
34. Nhlanhla Simelane – 1 550
35. WCM Mkhonto Nosimilo – 1 545
36. Vukani Dlamini – 1 544
37. Khayalethu Gule – 1 539
38. Sobhi Mziyako – 1 538
39. Thabani Gama – 1 538
40. WCM Nolwazi Nkwanyane – 1 534
41. Sanjul Ariyawansa – 1 528
42. Nomcebo Sibisi – 1 516
43. Tivumile Ngozo – 1 514
44. Semukele Lukhele – 1 509
45. Nkosivile Tfwala – 1 500
46. Lindokuhle Sibiya – 1 498
47. Nzunzolenhle Makhanya – 1 491
48. Bonginkosi Dlamini – 1 487
49. Melvin Loveday – 1 486
50. Samkeliso Shongwe – 1 459
51. Namisa Kuhlase – 1 458
52. Sandile Motsa – 1 458
53. Siphosethu Mkhweli – 1 448
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