ICF Declares 2022 the Year for Women in Chess

The International Chess Federation has leapt forward in its mission of forming gender equity policies, practices and programs after they declared 2022 the Year for Women in Chess.

In recent times, the federation has achieved several long-lasting strategic goals aimed at encouraging women to actively participate in all aspects of chess, including offering free educational seminars aimed at implementing gender quotas for various official positions and assignments.

The federation has worked tirelessly to provide better conditions for female players and has greatly increased the prize funds whilst the Commission for Women’s Chess is focused on connecting, inspiring and educating women of all backgrounds from around the world.

As part of creating a strong women’s chess community, ICF is planning to host several events and collaborations to make this year epic for women’s chess.

Below are the plans which the International Chess Federation are looking to implement:
(a) To establish a yearly award for women in various categories.
(b) To increase communication with national federations on the importance of nominating an “Ambassador for Women” in their country and encouraging them to organise support programs for women and girls.
(c) To organise “Global Exchange Forums” to share ideas that will improve the environment for women in chess.
(d) To create the “Queens Pavilion” during the Chess Olympiad 2022 in Moscow.
(e) To strengthen the collaboration with other FIDE commissions to support women’s participation in all aspects of chess life, even more intensely for this special year.
(f) The “Queens Festival” was very successfully organised for the first time in 2021. The plan for 2022 is to expand it with various exciting side events and more countries participating.
(g) Inspirational female role models will be featured weekly through the different FIDE channels: social media, a relaunched newsletter, and a newly created podcast.

There are also other plans for the Year of the Woman in Chess, which the world governing body will be announcing throughout the year via FIDE media.

FIDE are also willing to hear and promote initiatives and ideas that promote their mantra and have urged fans to share their initiatives online using the hashtag #womeninchess.

Photo 1 Caption: The International Chess Federation has leapt forward in its mission of forming gender equity policies, practices and programs after they declared 2022 the Year for Women in Chess. Photo: International Chess Federation / Anna Shtourman (Facebook)