3 out of 4 women in chess face discrimination or harassment, 44 percent are considering quitting

According to the first global survey of women in chess by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), three out of four women and girls in chess have experienced at least one form of discrimination or harassment, while 44 percent have considered leaving the sport.

The survey, which analyzed 672 responses from 127 national federations, found that 63 percent of respondents had experienced gender bias in the chess environment, while 38 percent reported sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior. Online abuse and harassment was reported by 38 percent of respondents, highlighting the challenges women face both within the sport and beyond the tournament hall.

The findings were published by the FIDE Women’s Chess Commission following a survey conducted between 3 August and 14 September 2026. Respondents included players of various ages and competition levels, as well as arbitrators, coaches, organizers and federation officials.

India was the largest contributor to the survey with 69 respondents. The sample also included 133 female FIDE title players, among them 10 female grandmasters, 27 female international champions, 49 female FIDE champions and 43 female champion candidates.

The data was more pronounced for adult respondents and women with FIDE titles. Among women 18 and older, 70 percent reported gender bias and 46 percent reported experiencing sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior. Among respondents under 18, the corresponding figures were 47 percent and 17 percent.

Among women with FIDE titles, 81 percent reported gender bias and 55 percent reported sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior.

Tris-Ann Richards, chair of FIDE’s women’s chess commission, said the findings should be seen as an opportunity to address issues that go beyond the sport.

“The numbers are worrying; however, it is important that we do not look at these findings as just alarming statistics. They represent the real experiences of women and girls who are part of our chess community,” Richards told The Indian Express.

She added that the challenges identified in the survey reflected wider issues facing women in other sports, the workplace and society.

“The goal is not to portray chess in a negative light, but to acknowledge the reality of these challenges and work together to ensure that no woman or girl has to endure discrimination or harassment as the price of participating in our sport,” she said.

MANY CONSIDERED TO END CHESS

The survey found that 44 percent of those surveyed were considering quitting chess. The proportion rose to 56 percent among those who experienced gender bias and 58 percent among those who reported sexual harassment.

An analysis controlling for other factors found that women who experienced gender bias were three times more likely to consider quitting chess. Respondents aged 18 to 24 were more than twice as likely, while holding a FIDE title doubled the odds of considering leaving.

The report also highlighted the lack of female role models. Only 44 percent of respondents said they had ever had a female role model or mentor in chess, while only 33 percent felt adequately represented in their regional chess community.

The survey found that barriers to participation were not limited to discrimination. Financial costs, including travel, coaching and entry fees, were identified by 66 percent of respondents as the main obstacle to their development. Time constraints resulting from school, work or family commitments were cited by 48 percent.

Overall, 84 percent rated the obstacles they faced as major or moderate, with even 72 percent saying that chess remains extremely or very important to them.

The findings also pointed to differences between regions. Reported gender bias was highest among respondents competing in North America at 83 percent, followed by South America at 78 percent, Europe at 74 percent, and Central America at 73 percent. The figures were lower in Asia, 53 percent, and Africa, 50 percent.

FIDE CALLS FOR STRONGER GUARANTEES

The survey comes amid previous allegations of sexual abuse in the chess world. In 2023, former women’s world champion Susan Polgar spoke about experiencing sexual harassment, assault and abuse during her playing career. The issue also came into the spotlight after female Grandmaster Jennifer Shahade and other women accused American Grandmaster Alejandro Ramirez of sexual misconduct. Ramirez was subsequently banned by the US Chess Federation.

The FIDE report recommends a clear code of conduct covering tournament venues, coaching relationships and online spaces. It also calls for confidential reporting channels with independent complaints handling, as well as training for arbitrators and organizers on how to recognize and respond to harassment.

Richards said reporting mechanisms already exist within the wider structure of chess governance, including national federations, tournament organisers, arbitrators and FIDE’s disciplinary and ethical procedures. However, their availability and effectiveness varied by circumstance and jurisdiction.

“We recognize that existing mechanisms need to be strengthened and are actively working on meaningful improvements,” Richards said.

She added that reporting channels must be clear, accessible, confidential and trustworthy for those who use them.

The report also cautioned against taking its findings as a definitive measure of the problem across the entire chess community. The sample over-represented active players, title competitors and federations that widely disseminated the survey, and excluded women who had already left the sport.

Responses from girls under the age of 18, who made up approximately 31 percent of the sample, were collected with guardian consent. The report noted that some responses may have reflected the parents’ perspective rather than the girl’s own experience, while the consent requirement may also have deterred some young respondents from participating.

Richards said the survey should be seen as a starting point for further research, including why women and girls leave chess and how their experiences differ across age groups, regions and levels of competition.

FIDE SURVEY: KEY FINDINGS

1. Chess starts early and at home: 55 percent of respondents were introduced to chess before the age of 10, and the same proportion entered the game through family or community. Only 36 percent had regular coaching while growing up. In Africa, 37 percent said they had no coaching, compared to 24 percent in Europe.
2. The biggest barriers are cost and time: 66 percent of respondents cited financial costs, including travel, coaching and entrance fees, while 48 percent cited time constraints. Overall, 84 percent rated the obstacles they faced as major or moderate, although 72 percent said chess remained extremely or very important to them.
3. Discrimination and harassment are widespread: 63 percent reported gender bias in chess environments, and 38 percent experienced sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior. These figures rose to 70 percent and 46 percent among adults and 81 percent and 55 percent among women with FIDE titles. Overall, 76 percent reported at least one form of discrimination or harassment.
4. Gender bias is associated with thoughts of quitting: 44 percent have considered quitting chess. That number rose to 56 percent among respondents who had experienced gender bias and 58 percent among those who had experienced sexual harassment. Gender bias tripled the odds of considering leaving, while 18- to 24-year-olds more than doubled it, and holding a FIDE title doubled it.
5. Female role models are still rare: only 44 percent ever had a female role model or mentor in chess, while 33 percent felt adequately represented in their regional chess community.
6. Women play more roles but want more support: Almost half of respondents, 47 percent, worked as coaches, referees, organizers or administrators, while 51 percent held more than one role. Among their priorities were financial support (65 percent), more local tournaments (60 percent), better access to coaching (52 percent) and more women in leadership (46 percent).

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