Challenges and Opportunities for Women in Chess: A Closer Look at the Disparity

The ongoing fifth leg of the Women’s FIDE Grand Prix chess tournament in Pune has brought to light the challenges faced by women in the game. Despite the buzzwords of women empowerment, smart learning, and gender equality, the disparity between men and women in chess remains stark.

Top women players like Hou Yifan and Ju Wenjun are struggling to keep up with their male counterparts in terms of rating and ranking. The lack of practice hours and other responsibilities, especially after marriage, are cited as reasons for this gap by players like K Humpy, who has been a top player for over 20 years.

While some believe that with the right training and opportunities, women can bridge this gap, others like coach RB Ramesh point to emotional factors that may affect women’s performance in chess. The debate over women’s titles in chess and the need for a change in mindset to uplift women’s chess globally continues.

Despite the challenges, players like Humpy and Vaishali are determined to make their mark in the game. The discussion around women’s chess and the need for equal opportunities and support for female players is ongoing, highlighting the importance of addressing gender disparities in the sport.