♟️ About Angelo Mendonça de Souza

Angelo Mendonça de Souza is a Brazilian chess organizer, FIDE Arbiter, instructor, and tournament official based in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul. He works extensively with over-the-board chess across the state and organizes competitions recognized by the Confederação Brasileira de Xadrez (CBX) and FIDE. The CBX currently registers him as an active tournament organizer under CBX Organizer ID 5787.

Mendonça has worked in Brazilian tournament chess for many years. Records document his involvement in arbitration and tournament direction in Mato Grosso do Sul since at least the early 2010s. FIDE awarded him the FIDE Arbiter title in 2016, under FIDE ID 2173506. Since then, he has continued to serve as an arbiter and organizer at classical, rapid, and blitz competitions.

Today, Angelo Mendonça focuses strongly on expanding rated tournament opportunities in Mato Grosso do Sul. He organizes events in Campo Grande and collaborates with chess clubs, municipal organizations, the Federação Sul-Mato-Grossense de Xadrez (FESMAX), and the CBX. Moreover, his current tournament work includes national-circuit competitions, state events, training initiatives for arbiters, and FIDE-rated tournaments.

🏆 Aberto do Brasil and Major Tournament Organization

Angelo Mendonça is the official organizer of the Aberto do Brasil – Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul 2026, which takes place from October 9–12 in Campo Grande.

The official regulations identify Angelo Mendonça – CBX 5787 as organizer, while Érico Mendonça handles tournament direction. The competition forms part of the Circuito Nacional de Abertos do Brasil da CBX and simultaneously serves as the second official stage of the Grand Tour MS 2026.

The event receives both CBX and FIDE Standard rating and offers opportunities toward Brazilian national chess titles. In addition, players can qualify for the final stages of the Brazilian Absolute and Women’s Championships under the applicable CBX rules.

Mendonça also organized another Aberto do Brasil in Campo Grande in June 2026. That competition used a six-round classical format and offered national-title opportunities alongside CBX and FIDE rating. Therefore, he has become closely associated with bringing the national Aberto do Brasil circuit to Mato Grosso do Sul.

⚡ Classical, Rapid and Blitz Events

Mendonça’s organizing activity covers all three principal FIDE time controls. In addition to major classical tournaments, he regularly develops rapid and blitz events in Campo Grande and other cities across Mato Grosso do Sul.

His 2026 program includes the IRT Rápido Érico Mendonça, IRT Blitz Vitor Gabriel Vilela, and the Metropolitano de Xadrez de Campo Grande Marcelo Ferreira Gralha. FIDE records identify him as Chief Organizer of several of these rated competitions.

Moreover, Mendonça contributes to tournaments outside Campo Grande. His work has included events in Maracaju, Dourados, Sonora, and other municipalities across Mato Grosso do Sul.

This broad tournament program creates more opportunities for local players to maintain active CBX and FIDE ratings. At the same time, younger competitors can gain official tournament experience without always traveling to other Brazilian states.

⚖️ Arbitration and Tournament Administration

FIDE arbitration is another major part of Angelo Mendonça’s chess work. FIDE awarded him the FIDE Arbiter title in 2016 after he completed the required seminars and tournament norms.

Since then, he has officiated at many rated competitions in Brazil. His assignments have included tournaments in Mato Grosso do Sul as well as major national events. For example, he joined the arbiter team of the Brazil Chess Series – Floripa 2025, which attracted approximately 500 players.

Mendonça also frequently combines organizational and arbitration responsibilities. At the 2026 Aberto do Brasil Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, for example, he serves as organizer and Deputy Arbiter while International Arbiter Danny Ramirez Dávalos leads the arbitration team.

Therefore, his tournament work covers both event management and the technical application of FIDE and CBX competition rules.

🎓 Arbiter Training and Chess Education

Angelo Mendonça also contributes to the development of tournament officials. In 2026, he organized an official CBX Arbiter Course in Campo Grande with International Arbiter Danny Ramirez Dávalos as instructor.

The program covered training for new Auxiliary Arbiters as well as refresher and promotion requirements for existing officials. Topics included the Laws of Chess, CBX tournament regulations, rating and title procedures, Swiss systems, tie-break methods, clock operation, and Swiss-Manager.

In addition, Mendonça has worked as a chess educator. Mato Grosso do Sul’s state sports authorities have previously invited him to teach chess-development and instructional methodology. His educational work has included practical calculation exercises, teaching strategies, tournament rules, and methods for introducing chess to beginners.

Consequently, his involvement extends beyond running tournaments. He also helps develop the officials, teachers, and players required to sustain organized chess across the state.

🤝 Chess Development in Mato Grosso do Sul

Mendonça has maintained a long connection with organized chess in Mato Grosso do Sul. His activities have included work with the Clube Sul-Mato-Grossense de Xadrez (CSX), state federation initiatives, local organizers, and public sports institutions.

His current tournament activity frequently operates in cooperation with FESMAX. The federation promotes many of these competitions through its official calendar and provides technical or institutional support when appropriate.

Moreover, Mendonça uses his Xadrez MS Torneios social-media presence to publish information about upcoming rated events across the state. This gives players a direct source for tournament announcements, registration information, and competition updates.

Through this combination of organization, arbitration, education, and promotion, Angelo Mendonça contributes to a continuous calendar of official chess events in Mato Grosso do Sul.