On April 13, 2024, the first “Chess Festival for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder” took place in the City Hall of Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The event was a part of the month of awareness of the Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
The festival was planned and organized by chess teacher Rodrigo Oliveira and had the technical support of chess teacher Luciano Gomes de Sousa, representative of the Infinite Family Chess in Brazil.
During the event, there was a lecture “Play and Games that help in the development of children with autism”, which was given by psychiatrist Dr. Carolina Trevizan. The program also included cultural performances, as well as chess matches, which were supported by the South Matogrossense Chess Association (ASMX), the Association of Parents and Friends of the Autists of Três Lagoas (AMA), and local sponsors and supporters.
In total, about 60 people participated in the festival. Among them, there were 20 children and teenagers with ASD, who were able to have fun playing chess and learning how to play chess. Beautiful medals were awarded to the participants of the event.
