Enxadrista vs. xadrezista
The Portuguese words enxadrista and xadrezista are synonyms that both translate to "chess player" in English. The primary distinction between the two is regional usage regarding where the form of Portuguese is spoken, rather than any difference in meaning or skill level.
Enxadrista
B2This term refers to a person who plays chess and is the standard word used in Brazilian Portuguese. It is the preferred choice in Brazil for both casual players and professionals.
O enxadrista brasileiro venceu o grande mestre russo.
(The Brazilian chess player defeated the Russian grandmaster.)
Ela quer se tornar uma enxadrista profissional quando crescer.
(She wants to become a professional chess player when she grows up.)
O clube da cidade está procurando novos enxadristas para o time.
(The city club is looking for new chess players for the team.)
Kasparov é o enxadrista favorito do meu pai.
(Kasparov is my father's favorite chess player.)
Os enxadristas analisaram o tabuleiro em silêncio.
(The chess players analyzed the board in silence.)
Xadrezista
B2This term refers to a person who plays chess and is the standard word used in European Portuguese (Portugal) and Portuguese-speaking African countries. It derives directly from the word xadrez (chess).
O melhor xadrezista de Portugal recebeu um prêmio ontem.
(The best chess player in Portugal received an award yesterday.)
Aquele xadrezista cometeu um erro grave no final da partida.
(That chess player made a serious mistake at the end of the match.)
Ser um bom xadrezista exige muita paciência e estratégia.
(Being a good chess player requires a lot of patience and strategy.)
As jovens xadrezistas estão a aprender muito rápido.
(The young female chess players are learning very fast.)
Todos os xadrezistas devem respeitar as regras do torneio.
(All chess players must respect the tournament rules.)
Summary
Both words describe exactly the same activity. Use enxadrista if you are communicating in Brazil, and use xadrezista if you are in Portugal, Angola, or Mozambique.