Trans women banned from top-level female chess over fears they have an unfair advantage
Transgender women will be banned from top-level female chess tournaments while the International Chess Federation (FIDE) governing body assesses whether or not they have an unfair advantage.
Last week, it said that a player who had transitioned “has no right to participate in official FIDE events for women” until a decision is made – which could take up to two years.
The new rules, which take effect on 21 August, will see trans women blocked from participating in female-only events. There will be no restrictions on those wishing to take part in open tournaments and there are currently no tournaments that exist exclusively for male players.
Female-only events were formed to encourage more women into the game given that chess is a male-dominated field, though many have questioned what advantage a trans woman could have over her peers. “There is no physical advantage in chess” Angela Eagle, the Labour MP for Wallasey, said “there is no physical advantage in chess unless you believe men are inherently more able to play than women”. “I spent my chess career being told women’s brains were smaller than men’s & we shouldn’t even be playing – This ban is ridiculous & offensive to women,” she wrote on Twitter.
