Final Stage of the Competition Held Last Saturday, Bringing 13 Betim Chess Players to the Podium

Last Saturday, the 31st, the capital of Minas Gerais hosted the final stage of the Mentes de Aço School Chess Circuit, organized by the Minas Gerais Chess Federation in partnership with the Arcelor Mittal Foundation. The final stage of the championship brought together 134 participants who qualified during the 14 stages held earlier across various regions of Minas Gerais.

The Ramacrisna Institute from Betim stood out in the championship, bringing home seven trophies and six medals—first and second places, respectively—the delegation with the most chess players on the podium. Additionally, the team also secured two 4th places, one 5th place, and two 7th places.

The team’s instructor, Bruno Jacomini, says that the result is the fruit of the students’ daily dedication. “Our students had the opportunity to compete with promising chess players from various regions and achieved a remarkable result, the product of much training and the work done throughout the year,” he says.

The Circuit

The Mentes de Aço School Chess Circuit is a free-access sports project executed through the Minas Gerais State Sports Incentive Law by the Secretary of Social Development (SEDESE). The event began in October 2023 and included 14 qualifying stages held in various regions of Minas Gerais, with a total of 900 chess players.

Chess at Ramacrisna

Chess classes are part of the activity schedule of the projects developed by the Ramacrisna Institute. They take place twice a week and are part of the activities for students at the Ramacrisna Educational Support Center (CAER) through the Vencer, Acreditar, Lutar, Engajar (VALE) project, carried out in partnership with Vale through the Federal Sports Incentive Law. Additionally, the project also caters to a special team of students who receive more intensive training, focusing on the professionalization of the sport.

The classes focus on the triad of learning, fun, and results. “We believe that learning should be a pleasurable process since when students enjoy themselves, the absorption of content occurs more naturally and effectively. This way, we achieve significant results both on and off the board. Throughout the year, we serve around 200 students, divided into learning cycles. Meanwhile, the chess team trains permanently, always seeking to improve their techniques and strategies,” says Bruno.

The impact of the project goes beyond chess classes. Ramacrisna students excel in regional and state competitions, winning awards in events such as the Minas Gerais Category Championships, Minas Gerais School Games, Mentes de Aço School Chess Circuit, and Betim Student Games, among others.