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Chess.com and Brazilian NGO Bring Chess to a Resilient Community After Floods
Students with the prodigy sisters Gabrielle (17) and Valentina (8) at Morro da Cruz (background). (Photo by Marcelo Fleury)

Chess.com and Brazilian NGO Bring Chess to a Resilient Community After Floods

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In the aftermath of the devastating floods that hit Rio Grande do Sul in May 2024, the Morro da Cruz community is rebuilding self-esteem with the help of a great ally: CHESS chesspawn. Thanks to a partnership between Coletivo Autônomo Morro da Cruz, a local NGO, and Chess.com, the world's leading online chess platform, a new chess club is bringing hope and opportunities to residents of this hard-hit area.


At the chess club's opening, prodigy sisters attended. Valentina Charlotte (left), just 8, already has multiple trophies (photo by Robson Farias))

The initiative includes both a physical club and an online presence supported by Chess.com, and aims to provide educational and social support to the community. The name of the club is Clube de Xadrez do Morro da Cruz (Morro da Cruz Chess Club).



"Chess is a powerful tool for personal development and community building," says Lúcia Scalco, president of the collective. "It teaches valuable skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic planning, which are essential for young people, especially in challenging times."

On October 25th, the club hosted a special event featuring two young chess prodigies from the region: Gabrielle da Silva (17), the 2023 Rio Grande do Sul state champion, and her sister Valentina Charlotte (8), a rising star with numerous school titles. The sisters shared their passion for chess with over 30 children and teenagers, providing lessons, playing games, and inspiring the next generation of chess players.

Gabrielle da Silva (left), a passionate chess player aiming for titles, inspired favela kids and teens supported by the NGO.



"We are incredibly grateful to Chess.com for their support," says Marcelo Monclaro Fleury, the NGO coordinator. "This partnership shows that solidarity can reach even the most affected areas, and that chess can be a powerful force for healing and recovery."

 

Eduardo da Silva Duarte, known as Piolhadas, is a Brazilian chess teacher and streamer who is also helping to create lessons and grown up the community—open to anyone who wants to join and support.


In the hills of Porto Alegre, Coletivo Autônomo supports youth in the densely populated Morro da Cruz area. (Photo by Robson Farias)

Chess.com has provided the club with online resources, including a dedicated club page and support for organizing online tournaments. Additionally, Chess.com announced that will gift a couple of Diamond Memberships to some young players. More than 50,000 people live in the hills of Morro da Cruz, a poor comunnity in Porto Alegre. The NGO has been committed since 2019 to giving people opportunities and addressing inequalities that became even more clear after the floods.

The club allows members from inside (and outside) the community. This great partnership with Chess.com is being highlighted by major news outlets in Brazil (see below the headline translated.