Zeneli, Klendi

Klendi Zeneli, a 22-year-old Candidate Master, is rated 2272 — just 15 short of his peak of 2287 (Apr 2026, age 22) and sitting in the top 2% of players worldwide. He is on a breakout run, having gained +96 Elo over the past 12 months. 53 rated games in the past year (≈55/year long-term). Recent standard appearances include SUPERLIGA E KOSOVES 2026, Kampionati Kombetar Individual Gjysemfinalet 2026, and 42e Open International d'echecs de Cappelle la Grande. Also played 6 rapid (including European Rapid Chess Championship 2025) and 5 blitz events (including European Blitz Chess Championship 2025) recently. He reached #5 nationally in Nov 2025 and has been in top 10 for 26 months and counting (2 consecutive years on his current run).

Awarded CM in 2023 (age 19). At junior level, he reached #1 and #1 nationally in U20 and U18.