Centro de Excelência de Xadrez

Centro de Excelência de Xadrez is a chess organization based in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. It has operated since 2000 and gives players a structured environment for tournaments, education, and broader chess projects. For players in Paraná, this matters because CEX is more than a one-event brand. It has its own institutional base, a clear public mission, and recurring work across the state. The organization links chess with education, cognitive development, and social inclusion. That wider focus gives it a different profile from a standard local club. At the same time, CEX keeps a strong connection to serious competitive chess. Jonel Nazareno Iurk serves as president, while Jaime Sunye Neto remains one of the best-known public names tied to its chess activity and event work.

🏆 Tournament Activity

CEX stands out for its broad and visible tournament calendar. It is one of the main organizers behind the Festival de Xadrez do Paraná, which connects major events in Foz do Iguaçu, Caiobá, Cascavel, and Campo Mourão. That structure gives players repeated opportunities during the year instead of a single isolated open. The X Torneio Internacional de Xadrez Sesc Caiobá 2026 is one of its flagship events. It has become one of the most recognizable chess festivals in Paraná. CEX has also organized events such as the Festival de Xadrez Três Fronteiras and the Copa Campo Mourão de Xadrez. This matters for players because the same organizer supports several strong events across different cities. As a result, CEX helps create a connected chess circuit rather than separate local tournaments.

🌱 Education and Community Work

CEX also has a strong role in education and community development. Its projects go beyond open tournaments and include work with schools, teachers, coaches, and wider social groups. That educational side is central to its identity. The organization has supported training initiatives for both players and trainers, including programs developed with FIDE América. It has also worked on inclusive chess activity, including projects for players with visual disabilities. In addition, its event structure often includes special conditions for students, women, older players, and players with disabilities. This gives more people a practical way to enter organized chess. Therefore, CEX does not only run competitive events. It also helps build new players, stronger trainers, and a wider chess culture across Paraná.