Empowering Women Through Chess: The Inspiring Mission of Ashley Priore

24-year-old chess phenom Ashley Priore is on a mission to close the gender gap in both the chess world and corporate leadership. With only 1% of the top 100 chess players in the world being women and women occupying just 6% of global CEO positions, Priore is using her passion for chess to empower women to rise into leadership roles.

Starting her chess journey at the age of four, Priore quickly excelled in the male-dominated field. She founded the national nonprofit Queens Gambit at just 14 years old to inspire young women and girls to compete in chess and use the game for self-empowerment. Her recent initiative, Project D4, aims to teach one million women the game of chess to provide them with the strategic tools needed to advance their careers.

Priore’s work has extended beyond the chessboard, as she has partnered with organizations like the NFL to teach players how to use chess strategies to make adjustments on the field, read opponents, take calculated risks, and thrive in uncomfortable environments. NFL players have embraced chess, with teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers incorporating chess into their locker rooms and players like Joe Burrow using it as part of their pre-game ritual.

Through her teachings, Priore emphasizes five important lessons that chess imparts: adaptability, decision-making and problem-solving, patience and persistence, strategy and tactics, and planning ahead. She believes that these lessons can lead to success both in chess and in life.

As Priore continues to break down barriers and empower women and NFL players alike, she is proving that chess is much more than just a game—it’s a tool for leadership, empowerment, confidence, and success. Whether teaching women to take risks in the corporate world or helping NFL rookies hone their mental agility, Priore is showing that the lessons of chess can lead to winning outcomes, both on and off the board.