All April long, we are celebrating Minds of All Kinds—and today, we are honored to share the first story in our series.
Meet Marcelo, a young chess player who sees the board in his own unique way. For him, chess isn’t just about moves and strategy. It is a place where focus becomes flow, where patterns speak louder than words, and where confidence grows with every game.
His journey is a beautiful reminder that minds of all kinds don’t just play chess—they enrich it.
Marcelo Junior discovered chess in April 2024 through the Carioca Chess Club in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At the time, he had recently been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum and was navigating significant challenges, particularly in school and social interactions.
One day, while visiting a shopping mall with his mother for a therapeutic appointment, Marcelo’s attention was captured by the chess club. Curiosity piqued, he approached. A player at the club explained that chess required dedication—study and practice. That brief conversation sparked something extraordinary.
Marcelo went home and immediately began watching chess videos online, diving into the game on his own.
Only a month later, while walking through the same mall with his family, Marcelo’s older sister noticed a small open chess tournament in a public space, organized by Ednilson Rosas. Without hesitation, Marcelo asked his parents if he could join. He played three games that day, drawing one and losing two. But rather than feeling defeated, he left the board more determined than ever.
In June 2024, with still very limited experience, Marcelo entered another open tournament—this one valid for the rating of the Federação de Xadrez do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. The competition was fierce, and he lost all his games. But instead of discouraging him, the result lit a fire. Marcelo told his family he would study twice as hard, and he began dedicating himself to chess every single day.
That commitment paid off quickly.
Just one month later, in July 2024, Marcelo played in a youth tournament at the Carioca Chess Club. He won five games and earned his first trophy in the Under-10 category. Recognizing his enthusiasm and potential, his family began seeking coaches to help guide his development.
Later that year, Marcelo finished 15th place in the Brazilian Championship held in Caxambu. But the true breakthrough came in December 2024. With only seven months of chess experience, he won the Rio de Janeiro State School Championship in the Under-10 category—a remarkable milestone that signaled the arrival of a serious talent.
By 2025, at just 11 years old, Marcelo had adopted a high-performance training routine, dedicating approximately four hours per day to chess. His discipline yielded a string of victories. He won several regional events in the Under-12 category and became a two-time State School Champion (2024 and 2025) across the Under-10 and Under-12 divisions.
He also finished 12th place in the Brazilian School Championship in December 2025.
That same year, Marcelo joined the Rio de Janeiro Under-14 team that competed in the FENAC. The team’s performance earned him a National Master norm from the Confederação Brasileira de Xadrez—an extraordinary achievement for a player so early in his journey.
In January 2026, Marcelo continued his intensive training as part of his preparation for the new season. Soon after, he learned about the I Torneio Xadrez do Rei e Inclusão, an event supported by the Infinite Chess initiative. What made the tournament even more special was the participation of Marcelo’s idol: legendary Grandmaster Henrique Mecking, known worldwide as Mequinho.
Determined to participate, Marcelo asked his parents to take him to São João del Rei.
On the first day, during a simultaneous exhibition, Marcelo delivered an impressive result by drawing against Luiz Alexandre de Souza Gomes.
But the following day brought an unforgettable moment. Marcelo needed to win his early rounds to earn the chance to face his idol. He won his first two games. Then, in the third round, his dream became reality—he was sitting across the board from Mequinho himself.
The game was competitive and intense. At a certain point, Mequinho offered a draw. Marcelo, almost in disbelief, accepted. In that moment, facing a living legend, he felt the full weight of how far he had come.
At just 12 years old and with less than two years of chess experience, Marcelo finished 1st place in the Under-14 category and 4th place overall in the tournament—a truly remarkable achievement.
Today, Marcelo Junior is ranked among the top 13 Under-12 players in Brazil by rating. But beyond results and trophies, chess has become an essential part of his life, helping him grow in confidence, sharpen his academic focus, and develop socially.
Marcelo continues to train with dedication, dreaming of one day representing his state—and perhaps even his country—at the highest levels of chess.
His story is more than a sports narrative. It is a testament to the power of finding a space where a mind of all kinds can not only belong, but thrive.
Stay tuned throughout April
as we continue to share stories celebrating the many ways unique minds enrich the world of chess and beyond.