Lopez Rayo, Santiago

Santiago Lopez Rayo, a 17-year-old Colombian International Master, is rated 2414 — his current career high and ranked 7th among Colombian players, and in the top 1% worldwide. He is on a breakout run, having gained +132 Elo over the past 12 months. 92 rated games in the past year (≈75/year long-term). Recent standard appearances include Campeonato Nacional Sub 20 Absoluto 2026, Final Nacional de Mayores Absoluto Selectivo Olimpiada Uzbekistan 2026, and Festival Sudamericano de la Juventud 2025 - Sub 18 Abs Ajedrez Clasico. Also played 10 rapid (including Campeonato Nacional por Equipos Preparacion Juegos Nacionales 2027 Rapido Abs) and 10 blitz events (including Campeonato Nacional por Equipos Preparacion Juegos Nacionales 2027 Blitz Abs) recently. He reached Colombian #7 in Apr 2026.

Awarded IM in 2026 (age 17), FM in 2022 (age 13), and CM in 2017 (age 8). At junior level, he reached World #64 in U18, World #69 in U16, World #24 in U14, World #25 in U12, World #7 in U10 and World #8 in U8.