Probably the last full season in the history of competitive Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is over, because we are waiting for the transition to the new version of the shooter - Counter-Strike 2. In this article we will sum up the results of the first half of 2023 and determine the best cyber athlete of that period.

While compiling the top 20 players of CS:GO in the first half of 2023, we analyzed the statistics of more than 110 professional players who played a lot of maps exclusively on Tier-1 events. The calculation took into account a player's individual rating, average KDR, DPR, and ADR, as well as individual awards (MVP and EVP) and tournament prizes. Players were awarded points for each indicator, the sum of which influenced the final position in the rating.

About the rating from Cover.gg

Evaluating a player's performance in a CS:GO match is a complex task, as each round has unique aspects, such as setting up a bomb or the first kill. Therefore, the best approach is to calculate a cyber athlete's rating for each individual round and get an overall score for the entire map.

We believe that Cover.gg provides the most accurate rating that makes it easy and convenient to evaluate each player's performance in each round, on each map and match. In addition, this rating takes into account new factors, such as side selection, the state of the economy, and many others that were not previously considered in the ratings. The maximum rating score is 10 points!

You can read more about the principles of rating calculation at the link.

Top 20 CS:GO Players in the First Half of 2023

#20.Benjamin blameF Bremer

#19. Russel Twistzz Van Dulken

In the first half of 2023, Twistzz achieved a unique accomplishment - he became the first esports player to win the Intel Grand Slam twice. The Canadian pro player first achieved this with Team Liquid in 2019. Despite this impressive success, Van Dulken holds a lower position in your ranking. One of the reasons for this assessment is his individual performance in recent times. In the world of esports, nothing lasts forever, and players can experience temporary slumps in form.

#18. Nikolai device Reedtz

Returning to Astralis, device brought new energy and determination to the team to achieve high results. From the very beginning of his comeback, he showed incredible motivation and determination. The Danish sniper was focused on quickly regaining his gameplay form and giving his all on the server. Even during the team's mediocre results, device performed at a high level and proved himself to be a stable leader of the team.

#17. Casper cadiaN Møller

Tournament Results:

2nd place at IEM Katowice 2023

2nd place at IEM Rio 2023

3-4th place at BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023

3-4th place at IEM Dallas 2023

1st place at BLAST Premier: Spring Final 2023

#16. Justin jks Savage

jks was able to refute all doubts and criticism he faced when joining G2 Esports. Many doubted that Savage could be a quality player for the team. However, as soon as he joined the team, jks quickly proved his worth and showed that he truly deserves a place in the lineup. With his performances and professionalism, the Australian esports player managed to convince everyone who doubted his abilities.

#15. Kaike KSCERATO Cerato

#14. Alvaro SunPayus Garcia

READ MORE: SunPayus becomes MVP of IEM Dallas 2023, device and frozen in the top 5 best players of the tournament

#13. Nemanja huNter- Kovač

Tournament Results:

1-3rd place at BLAST Premier: Spring Groups 2023

1st place at IEM Katowice 2023

3-4th place at BLAST Premier: Spring Final 2023

#12. Oleksandr s1mple Kostyliev

s1mple is one of the most talented players in the history of CS:GO, but this season it was evident that he started expressing too many negative emotions towards his teammates, which directly affected his own gameplay. Yes, Kostyliev tries to focus on the game and devotes a lot of time to Counter-Strike, but his individual form has not improved yet. If nothing changes in the next season and the Ukrainian sniper continues to struggle with team dynamics and individual performance, it may hinder his ambitions to become the best player of the year.

#11. Sergey Ax1Le Rykhtorov

Tournament Results:

2nd place at ESL Pro League Season 17

3-4th place at IEM Rio 2023

#10. Ilya m0NESY Osipov

m0NESY is a young and talented player who has already made a name for himself in the world of Counter-Strike. Last year, he created a real sensation with his gameplay, impressing many with his incredible skills and achievements. However, this year his performance has been less remarkable compared to the previous season. Nevertheless, Osipov still displays a consistent and high level of CS. He is still young and has tremendous potential for growth and improvement.

#9. David frozen Čerňanský

Tournament Results:

2nd place at IEM Dallas 2023

#8. Lotan Spinx Giladi

Spinx and his journey to the top of the professional CS:GO scene serve as an inspiration to anyone facing difficulties in striving to achieve their goals. Three years ago, he was excluded from FPL, which was a serious blow to his career. However, he didn't give up and continued to work on his skills and gameplay. After joining Team Vitality, Giladi immediately became an important part of the lineup.

At the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023, the Israeli esports player demonstrated his potential and contributed to the team's championship. This is a remarkable success considering his past challenges. His performance at the tournament was outstanding, and he became an integral part of a team capable of overcoming any difficulties and reaching the highest peaks.

READ MORE: What the new NAVI CS:GO lineup without Russians looks like - based on rumors

#7. Dmitry sh1ro Sokolov

Tournament Results:

2nd place at ESL Pro League Season 17

3-4th place at IEM Rio 2023

#6. Nikola NiKo Kovač

Tournament Results:

1-3rd place at BLAST Premier: Spring Groups 2023

1st place at IEM Katowice 2023

3-4th place at BLAST Premier: Spring Final 2023

#5. Martin stavn Lund

The talent and consistent performance of stavn are admired by many. He is a shining example of a player who continues to improve and demonstrate a high level of gameplay over an extended period. His two well-deserved EVP awards at IEM Rio 2023 and BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023 are clear confirmations of his talent and impact on his team's performance.

#4. Helvijs broky Saukants

broky is one of the key players in FaZe Clan. His talent, skill, and consistency make him an irreplaceable asset to the team. In the past season, Saukants was recognized as one of the top players in three major championships - BLAST Premier: Spring Groups 2023, BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023, and IEM Dallas 2023. He stood out among strong competitors, making significant contributions to the team's victories.

#3. Jakob Jabbi Nygaard

Jabbi emerged as the undisputed leader and best player of the Heroic team in the first half of 2023. His ability to make the right decisions in critical situations has been a key factor in the team's success. Naijgaard was awarded the MVP title at BLAST Premier: Spring Final 2023 and was twice recognized as EVP at IEM Katowice 2023 and IEM Rio 2023.

#2. Robin ropz Kool

ropz is one of the most consistent and impressive players in FaZe Clan. In March, Kool was named the Player of the Month by Cover.gg. You can read more about it here. The Estonian esports player also became the Most Valuable Player at ESL Pro League Season 17, where he shined with his individual performance and played a crucial role in the team's championship title.

#1. Mathieu ZywOo Herbaut

ZywOo is an incomparable and outstanding player who has left his opponents far behind. No other professional players come close to his individual performance. According to Cover.gg, ZywOo has rightfully held the first place among professional CS:GO players for two consecutive months. This confirms his exceptional gaming skills and unmatched talent.

He is the only esports player who has received the MVP title twice in the first half of 2023. Firstly, the French sniper became the best player at IEM Rio 2023, where his performance was simply astonishing and crucial to his team's success. And then, he became the MVP at BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023, the home and final Major in CS:GO history. His superior skill and impact on the game were unquestionable. ZywOo is a unique player who continues to prove himself as one of the best players in history.

Indeed, each of these esports players has had a significant impact on their teams and showcased unique gaming skills. Their achievements and importance in the world of CS:GO highlight their status and influence within their respective lineups. We hope that with the transition to Counter-Strike 2, their contributions to the professional scene will continue to grow.