Federação Amazonense de Xadrez

♟️ About Federação Amazonense de Xadrez

The Federação Amazonense de Xadrez (FAX-AM) is the official state chess federation for Amazonas, Brazil. Based in Manaus, the federation develops and regulates competitive chess throughout the state while connecting local players, clubs, schools, academies, organizers, and arbiters with Brazil's national chess structure. FAX-AM is affiliated with the Confederação Brasileira de Xadrez (CBX) and organizes competitions that are eligible for national and international rating. Its annual calendar includes classical, rapid, and blitz events as well as youth championships, state championships, memorial tournaments, and international opens. The federation is led by National Master Rudson Marinho Peixoto, who serves as President and is also an active tournament director and player. Under the current administration, FAX-AM has continued to expand rated tournament activity in Manaus while building partnerships with chess schools, educational institutions, local organizers, and commercial partners.

🏆 Tournaments & Competitive Activity

One of FAX-AM's most important tournament projects is the Manaus Chess Open. The event has developed into a major international chess festival in northern Brazil and attracts titled players from Brazil and other federations. The V Manaus Chess Open 2026 includes a nine-round FIDE- and CBX-rated classical tournament at Blue Tree Premium Manaus. The wider festival program also includes rapid, blitz, team, and scholastic competitions. For 2026, the main classical tournament has attracted a strong international field that includes Grandmasters Alexei Shirov, Rafael Leitão, Alexandr Fier, Neuris Delgado Ramírez, Pablo Salinas Herrera, and Salvador Alonso, together with other titled and developing players. FAX-AM also runs official Amazonas championships and shorter rated events throughout the year. Its 2026 calendar has included the Torneio Início da FAX, the IRT de Carnaval da FAX, state youth championships, and additional rapid and blitz competitions.

🎓 Youth Chess & Development

Youth development forms an important part of the federation's work. FAX-AM supports the Festival Amazonense da Criança (FAMAC) and the Festival Amazonense da Juventude (FAMAJ), which determine Amazonas champions across several age categories. These championships also provide a pathway toward Brazil's national youth competitions. In 2026, the FAMAC and FAMAJ program covered age groups from Under 8 through Under 18 and selected state representatives for the relevant national festivals. FAX-AM works with chess schools and academies in Manaus to increase participation among children and teenagers. These partnerships help young players move from instructional chess into organized competition and eventually into CBX- and FIDE-rated events. The federation also promotes chess as an educational activity. Its youth projects emphasize competition, concentration, decision-making, discipline, and long-term player development.

🏅 History & Achievements

The Federação Amazonense de Xadrez was founded on March 31, 1968. Historical accounts identify Portuguese chess player Alexandre Gonçalves as a central figure in the federation's creation and in the early development of organized chess in Amazonas. Gonçalves became one of the most significant figures in the state's early chess history. FAX-AM continues to commemorate that legacy through tournaments carrying his name, including memorial blitz events. Over more than five decades, the federation has maintained official state championships while expanding the range of competitive opportunities available in Amazonas. Its activities now extend from grassroots and scholastic chess to international FIDE-rated events. Recent years have marked a significant expansion in Manaus. The city hosted the Brazilian Rapid and Blitz Championships in 2025 alongside the Manaus Chess Open. In 2026, Manaus also hosted the Brazilian Under-20 Championship, while the Manaus Chess Open entered its fifth edition with a substantial international field. This combination of state championships, youth development, nationally sanctioned events, and international tournaments has strengthened Manaus as one of the principal chess centers in Brazil's North Region.