FIDE Survey Reveals Harassment Is Driving Women to Consider Leaving Chess
A new survey from the International Chess Federation (FIDE) has highlighted the challenges women and girls face in chess, from discrimination and harassment to the cost of competing. Among the respondents, three in four said they had experienced at least one form of discrimination or harassment in a chess setting, and 44% had considered leaving the game.
The findings raise pressing questions for the chess community: how can more women be encouraged to take up the game, given the support to develop their skills, and helped to feel welcome enough to stay? Women and girls make up roughly one in six active FIDE-registered players, with their representation even lower among titled players, arbiters, coaches and federation officials.
What the FIDE Women in Chess Survey Found
The Women in Chess Representation, Participation and Development Survey was led by Arhan Boyd of the Indian School of Business and Tris-Ann Richards, chair of FIDE’s Commission for Women’s Chess. It analyzed 672 responses from people connected to 127 national federations.
The survey was voluntary, and its results should be understood as describing the respondents—not as a representative estimate of every woman or girl in chess. Most questions were optional, so percentages reflect the people who answered each question. The report also notes that active and titled players, as well as federations that promoted the survey, may be overrepresented. Women who have already left chess are not captured.
Even with those limitations, the responses point to serious concerns. Overall, 63% said they had experienced gender bias or sexism, while 76% reported at least one of eight forms of discrimination or harassment covered by the survey. The reported figures were higher among adults and women holding FIDE titles.
- Gender bias or sexism: 63% of all respondents, 70% of adults and 81% of FIDE-titled women.
- Sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior: 38% overall, 46% of adults and 55% of titled women.
- Online abuse or harassment: 38% of respondents.
- Exclusion from opportunities: 37% said they had been left out of coaching, teams, tournaments or leadership roles.
Sixteen percent said they experienced gender bias or sexism often. The survey authors described the figures on discrimination and harassment as among the report’s most difficult findings.
Bias Is Linked to Thoughts of Leaving Chess
One of the report’s most striking findings concerns retention. Among respondents aged 18 to 24, 64% had considered stepping away from chess. The figure was 65% among women with FIDE playing titles—an indication that reaching a high level does not necessarily protect players from experiences that make them question whether to continue.
The survey also found a strong connection between reported bias and thoughts of leaving. Of respondents who said they had experienced gender bias, 56% had considered quitting chess, compared with 23% of those who had not. The association remained after the analysis accounted for factors such as age, title, region and level of involvement. Respondents reporting bias had approximately three times the odds of having considered stepping away.
Emilia Castelao, president of the Women in Chess Foundation (WICF), said the results were consistent with concerns raised by women seeking support from the organization. WICF works to promote a safer and more inclusive environment for women and girls in chess. Castelao also pointed to the need for stronger safeguarding policies, arguing that the survey should prompt practical action rather than remain a record of troubling experiences.
Financial and Time Barriers Limit Participation
Harassment is not the only obstacle identified in the report. When asked to select up to three barriers to participation or development, 66% chose costs such as travel, coaching and tournament entry fees. Time pressures related to school, work or family responsibilities were selected by 48%. Overall, 84% described the barriers they faced as moderate or major.
Separate research by WICF found similar concerns among applicants to its Chessable Scholars program. In an analysis of 175 application essays, 41% mentioned financial constraints and 33% described a lack of coaching or structured training. Participants in a group interview also spoke about isolation, sexist remarks and stereotypes regarding girls’ abilities.
WIM Luciana Morales, director of the WICF–Chessable Scholars program, said the findings point to a combination of practical and cultural challenges. Financial assistance and access to quality training matter, she said, but so does creating chess environments where girls feel respected, supported and welcome.
What Women Say Would Improve Chess
Respondents identified several measures they believe could make chess more accessible in their regions. Increased financial support was the most frequently selected option, at 65%, followed by more local tournaments at 60%. Better access to coaching was chosen by 52%, while 46% wanted more women in leadership positions.
These priorities suggest that improving participation requires action at multiple levels. Travel grants and help with entry fees could ease the cost of competition. More local rated events could give players opportunities to gain experience without the expense of long-distance travel. Regional coaching programs could help address gaps in training, while clearer pathways into federation leadership could give women a greater role in shaping the game.
The report also calls for codes of conduct that cover tournaments, coaching relationships and online spaces. It recommends confidential reporting channels, independent handling of complaints, and training for arbiters and organizers so they can recognize and respond appropriately to harassment.
Calls for Clear Safeguarding Standards
Castelao has urged FIDE and national federations to establish a flexible international SafePlay policy that can be adopted across different chess systems. In November 2023, FIDE announced work with Safe Sport International to develop a safeguarding framework addressing sexual harassment and the protection of children and other people at risk.
Richards has also called for clear procedures at both federation and event level. She said major chess tournaments should publicly explain what safeguarding measures are in place, so players know how to raise concerns and what support to expect.
The survey arrives amid years of public accounts from women describing harassment and its impact on their chess careers. In 2023, leading French women players drew international attention to concerns about harassment and sexual violence in the sport. That year, English coach and two-time Olympiad player WIM Jessica Gilbert also spoke publicly about the experiences that led her to stop playing professionally.
For Morales, the challenge is not only bringing more girls into chess but giving them compelling reasons to remain. The survey’s message is clear: access to coaching, funding and tournaments matters, but long-term participation also depends on safety, respect and meaningful support. If chess wants more women to develop and thrive, the community must address both the barriers to entry and the conditions players encounter once they are in the game.
