Muniz, Rafael

Rafael Muniz, a 50-year-old FIDE Master, is rated 2160 and ranked 15th among URU players, and in the top 5% worldwide. He is on a steady climb with +21 Elo over the past 12 months. 31 rated games in the past year (≈28/year long-term). Recent standard appearances include Circuito del Oeste 2026 - 1ra etapa, Cerrados de Jueves - Club Mijail Tal - Grupo A, and Semifinal del Campeonato Uruguayo Absoluto 2026. Also played 4 rapid (including URUGUAYO INTERCLUBES RAPIDO POR EQUIPO 2025) and 7 blitz events (including 1er Blitz Ciudad de Montevideo) recently. He had 4 career breaks: 17 months (2002–2003), 20 months (2005–2007), 14 months (2008–2009) and 23 months (2022–2024). His peak of 2292 was reached at age 40 (Dec 2016); he also reached #6 nationally in Jan 2013 and spent 59 months in top 10.

Awarded FM in 2017 (age 41).