Trans Women Were Banned From Women’s Chess Competitions, Sparking A Controversy
The International Chess Federation announced the decision to temporarily ban trans women on Monday Aug. 14.
Chess’ governing body has announced that it is banning trans women from competing in women’s competitions, sparking a controversy.
The International Chess Federation – known as FIDE – announced the decision to temporarily ban trans women on Monday Aug. 14, saying officials will need to conduct a review of the situation before a final decision is made.
The governing bodies of many physical sports are working on policies regarding trans athletes, but chess does not require significant levels of physical activity.
According to FIDE’s announcement, chess players who were assigned male at birth and transition will be banned from competing.
FIDE will then analyze the player’s individual case before making a decision about their participation, according to CNN.
The review process could take up to two years.
FIDE said in a statement that it made the decision after receiving a growing number of requests from trans players.
“Change of gender is a change that has a significant impact on a player’s status,” it said.
“The transgender legislation is rapidly developing in many countries and many sport bodies are adopting their own policies,” FIDE told the BBC.
“FIDE will be monitoring these developments and see how we can apply them to the world of chess. Two years is a scope of sight that seemed reasonable for the thorough analyses of such developments.”
The organization also said that trans men who won women’s titles before transitioning would have their titles abolished.
It added that there were no restrictions on trans players competing in the open section of its tournaments, when men and women compete against each other.
The policy will take effect on Aug. 21.
The decision has been criticized by chess players and human rights organizations, with the National Center for Transgender Equality calling them “insulting” to all women and the game itself.
“It assumes that cis women couldn’t be competitive against cis men – and relies on ignorant anti-trans ideas,” it wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
