World Chess Federation Bars Transgender Women From Competing In Women’s Events

GENEVA, Switzerland – The world’s top chess federation has determined that transgender women cannot compete in official female events until its officials analyze gender reassignment.

The decision, made by the Lausanne-based federation FIDE on Monday, drew outrage from advocacy groups and proponents of transgender rights.

FIDE stated that it and its member federations are increasingly receiving recognition petitions from transgender players and that transgender women’s participation would be contingent on a review of individual cases, which might take up to two years.

“Because a change of gender has a significant impact on a player’s status and future eligibility to tournaments, it can only be made if relevant proof of the change is provided,” the federation stated.

“If the gender is changed from male to female, the player has no right to participate in official FIDE events for women until further FIDE decision is made,” it said.

The world’s top chess federation has determined that transgender women cannot compete in official female events until its officials analyze gender reassignment.

Holders of women’s titles who change genders to male will have their titles “abolished,” according to the federation, with the potential of reinstatement “if the person changes the gender back to a woman.”

“If a player changes gender from male to female, all previous titles remain eligible,” the organization stated.

It noted that transgender issues were an “evolving issue for chess” and that “further policy may need to be evolved in the future in line with research evidence.”

Emails to top federation officials and phone calls to the federation’s headquarters in Switzerland were returned after some time.

The announcement comes as the association hosts a World Cup event in Azerbaijan, which features elite players such as Norway’s No. 1 ranked Grand Master Magnus Carlsen.

The world’s top chess federation has determined that transgender women cannot compete in official female events until its officials analyze gender reassignment.

The association holds general events in which all players are welcome and specialized categories for women, young players, and even computers.

In recent years, several sports demanding significant physical activity — which chess does not — have struggled with how to create regulations towards transgender competitors.

The International Cycling Union has joined the governing bodies of track and field and swimming in addressing the problem of transgender athletes and fairness in women’s events as top-tier Olympic sports.

The cycling association determined last month that female transgender athletes who transitioned after male puberty will be unable to compete in women’s races.

SOURCE – (AP)